OPTIMUS PRIMAL

Affiliation: Maximal
Function: Maximal General
Alternate mode: common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)

Weapon: Scimitars

First cartoon appearance: None

First comic appearance: None

From the 'wishful thinking files'!  Here's what we would've liked to have seen of this incarnation of the character:

Profile: A high ranking Maximal, Optimus Primal was sent on a mission of extreme importance. A Predacon dissenter has taken the name of Megatron, one of the most evil leaders in Transformer history, and embarked on a mission of war. It is believed by the Maximal Imperium that he may cause an uprising in the peaceful ranks of the Predacons. Optimus Primal has shown himself worthy of command to Lio Prime as well as the Maximal Imperium itself. A compassionate being, Optimus Primal is reminiscent of another time in Transformer lore when Optimus Prime led the heroic Autobots in defense of the universe against the malevolent Decepticons. This mission would lead Optimus Primal across space to Earth, thousands of years after the Beast Wars, to discover the secret mission of Megatron. Infiltrate the cave base of Megatron on Earth in the area known as South America and report your findings to the Maximal Imperium. The fate of Cybertron could well rest on him accomplishing his mission.

Abilities: He is schooled in various warfare tactics and is an excellent leader.

Weaknesses: Optimus Primal does not feel that he is leadership material, but others in command believe in him.

Strength: 10
Intelligence: 10
Speed: 10
Endurance: 10
Rank: 10
Courage: 10
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Bibliography of significant appearances:  There would be SO many more Optimus Primal toys to come, it's strange that the first ever made zero appearances in the cartoons or comics.  This character would be upgraded to (gorilla) Optimus Primal in 1996, Transmetal Optimus Primal in 1997 and, along with the spark of Optimus Prime would become Optimal Optimus in 1998. Then he would become Beast Machines Optimus Primal in 2000Blast Punch Optimus Primal in 2001, Air Attack Optimus Primal in 2002, and Universe Optimus Primal. Botcon Exclusive Optimus Primal in 2006 comes shows us the form of O.Primal before he began the battles of the Beast Wars. 

This mold would be used to make Convobat (recolor), a Japanese Beast Wars character as well as Onyx Primal, a BotCon '96 exclusive.

More toy pix:
robot mode 1f
robot mode 1g
robot mode 1j
beast mode 2h
beast mode 2j
beast mode 2k
beast mode 2l 

Here is an image from a Japanese card series, showing what he might have looked like had he made it into the comics.

optimusprimalbat.jpg (66943 bytes)

Tech Specs Text:
OPTIMUS PRIMAL

ALLEGIANCE: MAXIMAL
FUNCTION:  MAXIMAL GENERAL

"The Maximals and I have no choice but to stop Megatron and his Predacon minions before they destroy us all!  Freedom may be the right of all sentient beings, but to protect the greater good we must vanquish the Earth from these evil Predacon creatures!  It won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is!"

.....

MEGATRON

Affiliation: Predacon
Function: Predacon commander
Alternate mode:
American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Weapon: Gun
Japanese Beast Wars name:
メガリゲーター Megalligator

First cartoon appearance: None

First comic appearance: None

and again more original character text from Byrerprime, from the files of "wishful thinking."

More Toy Pix:
beast mode 2b
beast mode 2e

Profile: Disturbed by the rule of the Maximals, this Predacon has taken the name of Megatron in respect of the great Decepticon leader. He has embarked on a mission as the self-appointed savior of the Predacon race. He feels that the Maximal Imperium is not treating everyone equally during the Pax Cybertronia, but rather is subjugating the Predacons and any other bots they deem dangerous. Once a high ranking officer in the Predacons and even a token standing in the Maximal Imperium, Megatron has journeyed many levels of Cybertron and various worlds in search of artifacts and datatracks concerning the original Megatron. His latest scheme has taken him across space to the land known as South America on Earth. He has set up base inside a cave and has taken the form of an alligator to disguise himself. He knows that the Maximal Imperium is afraid of him, and that if he could generate a following he could overthrow them. He knows that a lone Maximal has been sent to spy on him and Megatron wants to destroy him.

Abilities: He is very skilled at planning and following through with difficult schemes.

Weaknesses: Megatron has a one-track mind that blinds him to outside circumstances.

Strength: 10
Intelligence: 9
Speed: 10
Endurance: 10
Rank: 10
Courage: 9
Firepower: 7
Skill: 10

Tech Specs Text:
MEGATRON

ALLEGIANCE: PREDACON
FUNCTION:  PREDACON COMMANDER

"Prosper or perish is the Predacon way of life, and we plan to survive by driving the Maximals into extinction!  That bat brained Optimus Primal thinks he can challenge our strength, but he has yet to feel the painful punishment I'll give him as I sink my teeth into his furry flesh!  He may still be a robot on the inside, but on the outside ...he's my lunch!"

Bibliography of significant appearances:  This mold would be used to make Megalligator (recolor), a Japanese Beast Wars character.  Like the blue bat OP, there have been SO many other versions of this Megatron character, it's ironic that this version, the first ever incarnation of this character made no appearances in the cartoons or comics.  Subsequent versions of this Megatron Individual:  Now incorrectly considered the original Megatron (purple T-rex), 1998 Transmetal Megatron, 1999: Transmetal 2 Megatron,   2000: Beast Machines Megatron, Megabolt Megatron and Armada Megatron released in 2002, Energon Megatron released in 2004, Cybertron Megatron in 2005 Then in my way of thinking, it's the same individual.  Personally, I consider the RID Megatron released in 2001 and all Generation 1 MEGATRON toys  to be a  a different individual Decepticon leader than the character who waged war in Beast Wars, Machines, Armada, Energon, and Cybertron...

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Lukis Bros
Transformers Collector Site