The name Optimus Prime is practically synonymous with theTransformersseries. To date, the heroic Autobot leader has appeared in every singleTransformersmovie, with voice actor Peter Cullen reprising his iconic role every time.
However, none of those movies have properly answered what the title of “Prime” actually means. It’s been well-established that Optimus isn’t the first Prime in the history of Cybertron, the planet that the Transformers hail from. It’s also been stated that the name bears great importance. However, the specifics have never really been explored on-screen. So the question remains: what exactly does it mean to be a Prime?
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Who Are The Primes?
In the second live actionTransformersmovie,Revenge of the Fallen, it’s established that Cybertron was onceruled by the Dynastyof Primes, who were betrayed and killed by one of their own: the Fallen. But while it’s stated that the Fallen can only be killed by a fellow Prime, it’s never explained what separates a Prime from an ordinary Cybertronian, or how Optimus became one. The next film,Dark of the Moon, introduces Sentinel Prime, Optimus’ mentor and predecessor. But again, it’s not revealed how either of them gained the title of Prime. Finally,The Last Knightintroduces Quintessa, the self-proclaimed “Prime of Life,” but once again, what exactly this means is never explained.
to unravel the mystery of what a Prime actually is, one must delve deeper into the history of theTransformersfranchise. Funnily enough,Prime wasn’t even meantto be a title at first — it was just part of Optimus’ name. It was only with 1986’sThe Transformers: The Moviethat a second Prime was introduced: Rodimus Prime, formerly Hot Rod, who succeeded the deceased Optimus as leader of the Autobots. In 1988, theTransformerscomics introduced the idea of a succession of Primes, starting with the first Cybertronian, Prima. The same comic series also first introduced Sentinel Prime as Optimus’ immediate predecessor.
At first, the title of “Prime” was essentially a military rank that designated the Autobot leader. In fact, the 2007 cartoonTransformers Animateddepicted it as arank equivalent to “captain”or “commander.” However, over the course of the franchise, “Prime” became less of a simple rank and more of a mythic title. And nowhere is this more evident than with the creation of the Thirteen Primes.
Who Are The Thirteen Primes?
In 2004’sTransformers: The Ultimate Guide, a longtimeTransformerscomic scribe first introduced the concept of the Thirteen Primes, the very first Cybertronians to be created by the god of light Primus. Led by Prima, the Thirteen Primes also included the Fallen and his fellow comic villain Liege Maximo. 2005’sTransformers: Cybertronanime introduced Vector Prime, another member of the Thirteen. However, the story of the Thirteen Primes wouldn’t be elaborated on in any real detailuntil the 2010 cartoonTransformers: Prime.
True to its name,Primefocused heavily on the legacy of the Thirteen Primes. The Season 1 finale featured Optimus recounting the legend of the Thirteen to his human allies, while Season 2’s story featured a hunt for their lost relics, like Prima’s Star Saber.Primeand its supplementary materials even revealed the identities of previously-unknown members of the Thirteen, like Solus Prime, Onyx Prime, Alchemist Prime, and Micronus Prime. Later on, theRobots in DisguiseandOptimus Primecomics from IDW Publishing would flesh out the Thirteen even further.
Far more than just powerful Transformers, the Thirteen Primes are essentially a Cybertronian pantheon: grand figures of legend, like the gods andheroes of ancient mythology.With the title of Prime elevated to such a grand status, Optimus Prime becomes more than just a military leader — he’s a larger-than-life hero, a true living legend. However, the introduction of the Thirteen raises another question regarding the nature of the Primes. If the original Primes were the first Cybertronians to be created, then how did the following Primes get the title?
What Is The Matrix Of Leadership?
The answer to that question lies in the Matrix of Leadership, also known as the Creation Matrix. To fans of the franchise, the Matrix is likely best known for its role inThe Transformers: The Movie, in which it transforms Hot Rod into Rodimus Prime and grants him the power to destroy Unicron. However, the Matrix firstappeared in the comics,in which it was granted by Primus to Prima, and passed down from one Autobot leader to the next. Thus, the succession of Primes was born, culminating in Optimus receiving the Matrix from Sentinel Prime.
The actual nature of the Matrix’s powers is often nebulous, and it typically serves as a deus ex machina to advance the plot as needed. However, it’s often portrayed as a vessel for the power of Primus. It has the ability to bestow life onto new Cybertronians, and in the hands of a worthy wielder, can grant its bearer the power of a Prime — as shown with Hot Rod becoming Rodimus Prime. Later continuities, like thePrimecartoon and IDW comics, establish that Optimus was only an ordinary Cybertronian named Orion Pax beforethe Matrix transformed himinto Optimus Prime.
While the title of Prime initially belonged to the Thirteen Primes, the first children of Primus, it has since been passed down to the wielders of the Matrix of Leadership. Bearing the name “Prime” doesn’t just mark one as the leader of the Autobots, but as a chosen champion of Primus, worthy of carrying on the legacy of the Thirteen. To be a Prime is to be a hero worthy of legend. Not bad for a title that only started out as a catchy name.
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