Optimus Prime (Robots in Disguise)

From WikiAlpha
Revision as of 17:38, 6 January 2023 by Mathewignash (Talk | contribs) (Toys)

(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to: navigation, search
Transformers character
Ridprime.jpg
Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime
Name Optimus Prime
Autobot
Japanese name Fire Convoy
Series Car Robots
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Universe
Transformers: Cybertron
Transformers: Titanium
English voice actor Neil Kaplan
Japanese voice actor Satoshi Hashimoto
First appearance Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1, "Battle Protocal"
Information
Alternate modes Hino Brandlier fire engine
Function Autobot Leader, Fire Supreme Commander
Gender Male
Motto "We will put out the fires of evil!"
Partner Ultra Magnus
Rank 10
Sub-group Leaders

Optimus Prime is a fictional character in the Transformers series. He is leader of the Autobots in the Robots in Disguise stories; in the Japanese equivalent Car Robots he is known as Fire Convoy.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

Optimus Prime is the fictional protagonist of the Transformers: Robots in Disguise (Fire Convoy in the original Japanese version) branch of the Transformers universe.[1] Based on the character of the same name, Prime once again leads the Autobots against the Decepticons. His voice actor, Neil Kaplan, does his voice in a style reminiscent of that of Peter Cullen, the voice of the original Optimus Prime. Wired Magazine nominated Fire Convoy as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers ideas of all time.[2]

Hidden on Earth as common, everyday vehicles, the Autobots are forced to emerge when Megatron and his Predacons arrive and wreak havoc in their attempts to attain the power of Earth's various energy sources.

In this universe, Optimus Prime transforms into a fire engine. The front section of the vehicle detaches and becomes Prime himself, armed with "Blaze Blaster" cannons. To attack, he is able to use his headlights, known as the "Fire Flash" attack, and leg wheels, known as the "Gyro-Strike". The rest of the vehicle transforms into a mobile battle station/refueling port/communications array and can combine with Prime as additional weapons and armor, forming his super mode referred to as "Super Fire Convoy". The ladder/hose section houses Prime's Power Stream water cannon, capable of shooting freezing streams of water, called his Blizzard Storm attack. It also contains a quartet of rocket launchers. In super mode, his feet contain missile launchers than can mount to the shoulders of his regular robot mode. In this mode, he can fire his fists for his "Flying Fist" attack.

Fictional biography

Robots in Disguise biography: Optimus Prime is the wise and courageous leader of the Autobots. He loves all creatures and will fight with every last spark of energy to defend the plant Earth and its inhabitants from Megatron and his evil plan of conquest and destruction. He dreams of a lasting peace on the planet and in the universe. He has battled the Predacons many times and saved countless lives. His ferocity is legendary - his anger against injustice blazes like a six-alarm fire within him.


Titanium biography: Chosen by the Matrix to lead the Autobots on their mission to Earth, Optimus Prime is the very embodiment of all that every Autobot strives to be. He is the soul of honor and compassion, dedicated to the preservation of life and freedom for all creatures. His affection for those he protects is matched only by his ferocity in battle. He has faced them many times, and knows that there can be no surrender and no compromise with the treacherous Predacons. In addition to being an ideal leader, he is a war machine of incredible power. Nearly unbeatable in single combat, his enemies have resorted to an endless string of dirty tricks to lay him low, only to see him rebound every time, stronger than ever before. His strength and confidence, however, hide a deeply reflective spirit. During solitary moments, he has been known to doubt his skill as a leader, for his deep compassion has - at times - clouded his judgment. Thankfully, his brilliant mind and the dedication of his compatriots have always managed to snatch victory from the evil claws of the Predacons.

Animated series

Optimus Prime and his brother, Ultra Magnus, were created at the same time by Alpha Trion, but when Prime was chosen to carry the Matrix, Magnus felt ignored, and was left carrying a grudge against his brother.

Later, Optimus pursued Megatron to Earth to stop him from pillaging the planet's energy resources. Prime's loyal team of Autobots clashed with Megatron's Predacons on many occasions, stopping their schemes with the aid of Koji, a human whose father had been abducted by the Predacons. Prime and Koji went on to form a strong friendship, although Prime blamed himself for Koji's father's abduction. Optimus proved his bravery on many occasions, battling and defeating Sky-Byte in an underwater duel and personally rescuing Side Burn from a Predacon trap. Later, when Megatron targeted a tanker truck to scan as the alternate mode of the final protoform, Optimus Prime leapt into action in order to save the truck's human driver and, as a result, the tanker, Prime and the human were all scanned. With an infusion of Megatron's spark energy to complete the concoction, Scourge was born, emerging from his pod as a dark twin of Optimus Prime. Prime's pleas to make Scourge remember his original Autobot loyalties fell on deaf ears.

Prime soon had other things to worry about, as Magnus arrived on Earth with the intention of taking the Matrix, which he believed was rightfully his, at all costs. Prime, who refused to fight back, was seriously injured by Magnus. Magnus tracked Optimus to a desert island, where he pretended to offer him the hand of friendship, only to attempt to absorb the Matrix for himself. During the struggle, the brothers combined into the form of Omega Prime, also known as the God Fire Convoy. Through this link, Magnus was also able to channel the power of the Matrix, which he used to supercharge the Autobot Brothers into newly colored forms. Prime went on to battle the Decepticons on many other occasions. Although Magnus remained a free agent, refusing to take orders from his brother, over time, his animosity dwindled, and he frequently helped the Autobots by combining with Prime to battle the Predacons and Decepticons. During the final battle with Megatron's new form, Galvatron, the two brothers finally reconciled. Together, they faced Galvatron at the Earth's core and defeated him once and for all.

In Car Robots, the original Japanese version of Robots in Disguise, there is not one singular Matrix, but multiple ones, each held by a high-ranking Autobot. God Magnus already possesses a Matrix, and simply seeks to steal the power of Fire Convoy's to increase his own. The overspill supercharges the Autobot Brothers.

Comics

3H Enterprises

In 2002, 3H secured the official Transformers convention license as well as licenses to produce comic books and start a fan club. Optimus Prime appeared in Transformers Collectors Club comics, a comic released by 3H enterprises. In the comic, he is the same Optimus Prime from the Robots in Disguise continuity, but is taken to the Transformers: Universe reality.

This incarnation of Optimus Prime first appeared in the Transformers: Universe comic series in issue #2. As part of Omega Prime, he was escaping with various other Transformers from Unicron. He appeared again at the end of issue #3, brought in to Alpha Trion's lab to aid Optimus Primal. After this, both Prime and Magnus became part of Optimus Primal's army of Autobots, battling against Unicron's Decepticons.

According to the bio printed in the Transformers Collectors Club magazine, Optimus Prime was a member of the Cybertron Dimensional Patrol, but was abducted by Unicron. It is unknown whether he repainted himself yellow before being abducted or if the recoloration was due to the radiation emanating from Unicron, which has a tendency to recolor Cybertronians.

The conclusion to the storyline was forestalled when Hasbro retracted 3H Enterprise's license, but an explanation can be found in issue 8 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine, Cybertron/Robots in Disguise. In this issue, Prime tells the tale of how Unicron's forces were defeated in the last battle by Optimus Primal's forces and Unicron disappeared into the black hole opened in Transformers: Energon. Combined as Omega Prime, they could not escape fast enough, and were sucked into another dimension.

Dreamwave Productions

An incarnation Optimus Prime made one appearance in Dreamwave's Summer Special issue before the company went under. Optimus Prime and Magnus had to work together to stop the Decepticons from stealing a nuclear reactor. Shortly after, it was decided that Beast Wars, rather than Robots in Disguise (RiD), would be the next Dreamwave comic series.

Prime would make one further surprise appearance in Dreamwave's Transformers: Armada series. With Optimus Prime having disappeared to an alternate dimension, devastated by Unicron, the Autobots attempted to find their leader. As Jetfire attempted to locate him through Spacebridge links to other dimensions, one of these clearly shows RiD Optimus Prime and Prowl.

Fun Publications

Left to right: Sentinel Maximus, Generation 2 Optimus Prime, Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime, Transtech Optimus Prime, Leo Prime and Cybertron Optimus Prime in Invasion Prologue

In the Cybertron universe, Cybertron was under attack by two of the Heralds of Unicron, Nemesis Prime and Ramjet. They had already damaged Alpha Trion, and while Ramjet engaged Vector Prime in a duel high above Cybertron, Nemesis Prime got past Sentinel Maximus and revealed his plan to use the Dead Matrix to drain Primus and use the energy to revive Unicron. Omega Prime, a combination of Optimus Prime and his brother, Ultra Magnus, appeared to challenge Nemesis Prime. The brothers recovered, only to receive Optimus Prime, bearing word of Vector Prime's death in battle. Prime and Magnus were subsequently seen planning the hunt for Unicron with Sentinel Maximus.[3]

Optimus Prime appears in Invasion Prologue by Fun Publications.[4] Various "Ask Vector Prime" segments also indicate that a counterpart to this Optimus, known by his Japanese name of Fire Convoy, appears in variations of both the Binaltech and Transformers: Generation 1 continuity families. The latter was involved in the creation of Prowl II, while the former was a member of the Convoy Council along with Reverse Convoy and others and was apparently a Maximal. Still another Fire Convoy was forced to contend with the threat of Gigatron Z, an upgraded version of his old foe Gigatron backed by Devil Z.

The Official Transformers Fan Club voice actor play for 2004 featured a Spy Changer Optimus Prime with a very unique feature: this version was a female. "Ask Vector Prime" later revealed that this Optimus and her forces became Spy Changers after Sky-Byte tainted their world's supply of Energon.

Toys

  • Car Robots Super Fire Convoy (2000)
A Leader class toy that transforms from fire truck to robot. The front end of the fire truck can form a robot resembling Generation 1 Prime, while the rear section can form a battle station or combine with him to form Super Fire Convoy. The rear section has an extending ladder with retractable water cannons and missile launchers. This battery-operated toy features siren sounds and voice samples of Fire Convoy (saying the lines, "Fire!" and "Kyoudai Gattai! Super Fire Convoy!").[5] Fire Convoy can combine with God Magnus (sold separately) to form God Fire Convoy.[6] This toy was designed by Takara's Hisashi Yuki.[7]
This toy is 1:26 scale.
A Toys "R" Us Japan exclusive boxed set had Super Fire Convoy bundled with God Magnus and a sword, which was originally from the Japanese Fortress Maximus toy.
  • Car Robots Kabaya DX Fire Convoy (2000)
Part of the Car Robots DX candy toy series by Kabaya. Each package comes with a piece of ramune candy and a pre-assembled toy. The robot looks and transforms almost the same as the larger, original Takara version, albeit transforming into only the front end of a fire engine.[8]
  • Car Robots Kabaya DX Super Fire Convoy (2000)
This candy toy pack comes with the parts needed to upgrade DX Fire Convoy into Super Fire Convoy (robot only).[9]
  • Car Robots Kabaya Gum Fire Convoy (2000)
The Kabaya Car Robots gum toy series consists of a stick of gum and and an easy-to-assemble kit. The completed robot is non-transformable, but is fairly poseable and has translucent plastic parts.[10]
  • Car Robots Kabaya Gum Super Fire Convoy (2000)
Similar to the Fire Convoy kit, but with parts to form Super Fire Convoy.[11]
  • Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime (2001)
The US release of Super Fire Convoy had the Japanese voice replaced with an English voice (with the lines, "Optimus Prime, Maximize!" and "Autobots, Transform"), and Autobot insignias were added on the side panels. Much like the Japanese version, Optimus Prime's normal robot mode can combine with Ultra Magnus (sold separately) to form Omega Prime.[12] The mold was released in black and gold coloring as a Lucky Draw figure in Japan, and was going to be remolded into Universe Defensor; the latter figure was cancelled.
  • Robots in Disguise Spy Changer Optimus Prime (2002)
A Spy Changer version of Optimus Prime was also released. It converted from Fire Engine, to Super Robot mode.
  • Robots in Disguise Spy Changer Optimus Prime with Prowl (2003)
A yellow repaint of the previous Spy Changer figure.
  • Hasbro Transformers Universe Leader Optimus Prime
A yellow repaint of Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime was released for the Transformers: Universe line. This toy was a Sam's Club store exclusive.
This toy was repurposed as Yellow Splendid Convoy.
  • Cybertron Costco Optimus Prime with Ultra Magnus (2005)
RiD Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus were redecoed again and sold as a set exclusive to Costco stores in the Transformers: Cybertron line in 2005. He was now back in his original red coloration.
  • Titanium Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime
A 6 inch tall Optimus Prime in Robots in Disguise style for the Transformers: Titanium line was first displayed by Hasbro at the 2006 San Diego Comic Convention. This version of Optimus Prime seems to only have vehicle and super robot modes. This toy is 1/43 scale, and was later recolored into Titanium Hot Spot as an homage to the cancelled Universe figure.

Gallery

References

  1. "TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE Returns! Hasbro Launches Product Line Based on Original '80s Theme; Fox Kids Series to Debut September 8th". Business Wire. 2001-09-05. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2001_Sept_5/ai_77846707/. Retrieved 2011-09-19. 
  2. "Less Than Meets the Eye: The 12 Most Ridiculous Transformers of All Time". Wired Magazine. http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2008/08/less-than-meets/. Retrieved 2010-10-03. 
  3. Forest Lee and Dan Khanna (w), Forest Lee (p). Transformers: Cybertron: Balancing Act 1 (April 2007), IDW Publishing
  4. Pete Sinclair & Jesse Wittenrich (w), Will Mangin (p), Jake Isenberg (i). "Invasion Prologue" Transformers Timelines (March, 2012), Fun Publications
  5. BWTF.com - Fire Convoy[dead link]
  6. Seibertron.com. "God Magnus". Seibertron.com. http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=494&size=0&start=0. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  7. 08:40 AM (2009-03-15). "Transformers Generations 2009, Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei Staff Interview Translation". TFW2005.com. http://www.tfw2005.com/transformers-news/universe-classics-20-29/transformers-generations-2009-takara-tomy-transformers-henkei-staff-interview-translation-167074/. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  8. "Kabaya DX Fire Convoy". TFW2005.com. http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/other-kabaya-cybertrons-445/fire-convoy-dx-3186/. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  9. "Kabaya DX Super Fire Convoy". TFW2005.com. http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/other-kabaya-cybertrons-445/fire-convoy-super-dx-4295/. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  10. "Kabaya Gum Fire Convoy". TFW2005.com. http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/other-kabaya-cybertrons-445/fire-convoy-gum-3189/. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  11. "Kabaya Gum Super Fire Convoy". TFW2005.com. http://www.tfw2005.com/resources/other-kabaya-cybertrons-445/fire-convoy-super-gum-3190/. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 
  12. Seibertron.com. "RiD Optimus Prime". Seibertron.com. http://www.seibertron.com/toys/gallery.php?id=496&size=0&start=0. Retrieved 2011-04-04. 

External links