TRANSFORMERS: Revisiting the Characters of Generation 1 - OPTIMUS PRIME

 TRANSFORMERS:  Revisiting the Characters of Generation 1

"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings." - Optimus Prime, 1984.

AUTOBOT

Name - OPTIMUS PRIME

Function - Autobot Commander

Series Debut - 1984 / Wave 1

Sub-Group - None (1984), Powermaster (1988), Action Master (1990) 

BACKGROUND...

    Optimus Prime is the heroic leader of the peace-loving Autobots and has been since long ago, on the planet - Cybertron.  With the planet being depleted of it's resources and power due to a massive civil war, it was Optimus who led a team into space to find alternate sources of fuel.  While on their mission, they were ambushed by the evil Decepticons.  As the two factions fought, the ship carrying all of them crash-landed on Earth.  Laying dormant till 1984, an erupting volcano awakened the ship's computers which quickly set to repairing and re-activating those inside it.  Everyone was now given transform modes of Earthen cars, jets, and more.  Optimus was given the alt-mode of a red semi truck with trailer.

    Of the Autobots stuck on Earth, Optimus is the strongest and wisest among them.  He feels it is his job to protect all lifeforms, especially those on Earth as the Transformer War was brought to them on accident.  In battle he carries a standard laser rifle, but can also make use of a powerful "Energon Axe".  At this time on Earth, Optimus Prime could split into 3 individual modules - Optimus - himself, Roller - the scout car, and an Autobot Base / repair bay.

    With both sides now marooned on Earth, Decepticon Leader - Megatron sought to drain it of it's energy and use it to repower Cybertron.  Optimus Prime made it his mission to protect the Earth and it's people that had accidentally inherited the Transformer's war.  Over the next couple years, Optimus Prime's wisdom outsmarted Megatron and foiled his evil schemes time and again!  

    By 2005, much had changed.  Megatron and the Decepticons had restored power to Cybertron and took complete control of it.  As Optimus and his Autobots were preparing to retake their home planet, they were split into 3 main locations - Autobot City on Earth and 2 of Cybertron's moons.  

    The plan was to launch a full scale assault to push the Decepticons off the planet.  Learning of this plan, the Decepticons decided to strike the Earth base first.  This forced Optimus to return to Earth which ultimately lead to a final showdown between Optimus and Megatron.

    Though Megatron claimed he could win with his "bare hands", there was no shortage of trickery from Megatron who knew otherwise he would lose.  While he was able to cause serious damage to the Autobot Leader, Megatron still lost the fight, and was pathetically hauled away by his minions.

    Optimus soon died of his injuries, but before that happened, he passed on the Matrix of Leadership - naming Ultra Magnus the new Autobot leader.  Optimus Prime became one with the Matrix and would help guide future Autobot Commander - Rodimus Prime.

    Sometime later, when the galaxy was faced with the rapidly growing "hate plague", Sky Lynx and a Quintesson actually managed to revive Optimus Prime.  He destroyed the plague with the remaining energy from the Matrix.

    Shortly after that, many Autobots and Decepticons had teamed up with a race of beings called the Nebulans.  Good and evil Nebulans had undergone different processes to become Headmasters or Targetmasters.  Optimus became one of the first "Powermasters".  He was paired with a super-intelligent Nebulan named Hi-Q who could transform into an engine that would energize Optimus.  His trailer could now transform into a fortress or special battle armor for the Autobot Leader.

Optimus Prime as a Powermaster!

    When the Autobots and Decepticons were exposed to the chemical Nucleon, Optimus lost his ability to convert into his truck mode.  While he had more power than ever before, he couldn't transform, so he took command of the Armored Convoy vehicle.  This vehicle could change into a battle headquarters armed with heavy weaponry to defend against Decepticon attacks.

    No matter the situation, Optimus Prime stands ready to lead his team against any evil force that threatens the innocent!

MY THOUGHTS...

    Wow!  Optimus Prime was the Holy Grail of transformer toys back in the day.  Easily the biggest (next to Megatron) of Series 1 and by far the most popular character!  My friends and I all wanted this figure!  We all made due with buying the smaller, more accessible figures.  Finally, though, I was able to get Optimus!  I think I used birthday money to buy him and after I bought him, he did not disappoint!

    Aside from him being a beloved character, he was so impressive as an action figure.  The truck went right along with the larger Autobot cars, and they looked great together!  If you were anything like me, you would store a car or two in the trailer.  If memory serves, I think you could cram two of the smaller cars in there at the same time.  Probably Skids being one as he was so compact.

    Back then there was ONE Optimus Prime!  ONE and only one!  It was something to shoot for!  A kid may do a few more chores around the house or mow a few more lawns to save up for something like this!  Unlike now, where there are probably 10 different Optimus' on the shelves in a variety of styles, sizes, and quality.  Its just not the same vibe as before...

    It's equally frustrating how Optimus Prime has been treated in more recent years.  The shock of Optimus dying in the 86 Movie has led to nearly EVERY OTHER iteration of him also dying, only to come back.  Sorry, we were shocked before, now it's expected.  

    Standing in for the original G1 Optimus is a couple PVC figures from the Heroes Of Cybertron line as well as Optimus from Titans Return.  

    (Information on the character's lore was taken from the Sunbow Transformers cartoon series, including the Movie and the figure's original Tech-Specs.

The original G1 Optimus Prime from the Series 1 catalog!  Can't be topped, sorry!

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Back of the packaging for the Action Masters!