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Just knocked this out as an idea for an outline of how Optimus Prime has changed over the years, mixing ideas from various continuities, and wondered what others would make of it...

Ancient Times
Created as Orion Pax, a freight worker that transformed into a Cybertronian truck with an electronic lifting arm which could also transform into his drone partner, Roller. (Cartoon/E-Hobby Orion Pax)

Seemingly destroyed by Megatron in an early Decepticon attack, was rebuilt by the ancient Alpha Trion as the archivist Optronix. (War Within Optronix)

After the death of Sentinel Prime, was chosen by the Council of Elders to be the new Matrix Bearer, a role he reluctantly accepted. The Matrix inside him, he grew in size and power to become Optimus Prime, gaining a trailer section which could transform into an armed combat deck and command centre. Roller was also reborn as a multi terrain scout and refuelling vehicle. Left Cybertron in command of the Ark in a desperate bid to find new sources of Energon. Crash landed on prehistoric Earth after an attack from Megatron’s ship, Nemesis. (War Within/Titanium/Stormbringer Optimus Prime)

Modern Times
The Ark’s computer, Teletran-1, is reawakened when Mount St Hilary erupts in 1984 and starts repairing the occupants of the ship. Optimus Prime is rebuilt to have an Earth cab-over-engine tractor-trailer disguise mode. After a combined Autobot-United Nations defeats the Decepticon forces in 1986, the Ark II is built and the Autobots prepare to return home. (Generation 1 Optimus Prime)

The 1987 launch is sabotaged and the ship explodes shortly after take-off, seemingly killing all on board. Optimus Prime’s body is recovered by the U.S. government and is repaired and upgraded to be controlled by the scientist known only by the code-name HI-Q in 1988. This scientist turns out to be an alien from the war-torn planet Nebulos by the name of Ginrai who was working with a hidden group of Autobot Headmasters and Powermasters on Earth. Optimus Prime is restored as a Powermaster, Ginrai acting as his engine. Roller is upgraded into the powerful warrior-drone Apex Bomber. Optimus Prime can combine with both his trailer section and Apex Bomber to form a larger, more heavily armed super robot mode. (Powermaster Optimus Prime)

After Ginrai is killed and the Matrix stolen by Shockwave, Optimus Prime goes into stasis lock. Grimlock restores him in 1990 using the untested substance Nucleon, turning him into a faster and stronger Action Master, also causing him to loose his ability to transform. The similarly restored Wheeljack builds him the Armoured Convoy, a larger truck able to transform into a command station and space jet-pod. (Action Master Optimus Prime)

Returning to Earth in 2005, undergoes a full re-build to regain a disguise mode, this time using a Dodge Ram pickup truck, having lost much of his size due to the missing Matrix. (Alternator Optimus Prime)

Finally regaining the Matrix in 2006, he regains his former power and size and returns to his former disguise mode of an Earth COE tractor cab, though no trailer or Roller. (Classic Optimus Prime)

Wreckgar wrote:Just knocked this out as an idea for an outline of how Optimus Prime has changed over the years, mixing ideas from various continuities, and wondered what others would make of it...

Ancient Times
Created as Orion Pax, a freight worker that transformed into a Cybertronian truck with an electronic lifting arm which could also transform into his drone partner, Roller. (Cartoon/E-Hobby Orion Pax)

Seemingly destroyed by Megatron in an early Decepticon attack, was rebuilt by the ancient Alpha Trion as the archivist Optronix. (War Within Optronix)

After the death of Sentinel Prime, was chosen by the Council of Elders to be the new Matrix Bearer, a role he reluctantly accepted. The Matrix inside him, he grew in size and power to become Optimus Prime, gaining a trailer section which could transform into an armed combat deck and command centre. Roller was also reborn as a multi terrain scout and refuelling vehicle. Left Cybertron in command of the Ark in a desperate bid to find new sources of Energon. Crash landed on prehistoric Earth after an attack from Megatron’s ship, Nemesis. (War Within/Titanium/Stormbringer Optimus Prime)

Modern Times
The Ark’s computer, Teletran-1, is reawakened when Mount St Hilary erupts in 1984 and starts repairing the occupants of the ship. Optimus Prime is rebuilt to have an Earth cab-over-engine tractor-trailer disguise mode. After a combined Autobot-United Nations defeats the Decepticon forces in 1986, the Ark II is built and the Autobots prepare to return home. (Generation 1 Optimus Prime)

The 1987 launch is sabotaged and the ship explodes shortly after take-off, seemingly killing all on board. Optimus Prime’s body is recovered by the U.S. government and is repaired and upgraded to be controlled by the scientist known only by the code-name HI-Q in 1988. This scientist turns out to be an alien from the war-torn planet Nebulos by the name of Ginrai who was working with a hidden group of Autobot Headmasters and Powermasters on Earth. Optimus Prime is restored as a Powermaster, Ginrai acting as his engine. Roller is upgraded into the powerful warrior-drone Apex Bomber. Optimus Prime can combine with both his trailer section and Apex Bomber to form a larger, more heavily armed super robot mode. (Powermaster Optimus Prime)

After Ginrai is killed and the Matrix stolen by Shockwave, Optimus Prime goes into stasis lock. Grimlock restores him in 1990 using the untested substance Nucleon, turning him into a faster and stronger Action Master, also causing him to loose his ability to transform. The similarly restored Wheeljack builds him the Armoured Convoy, a larger truck able to transform into a command station and space jet-pod. (Action Master Optimus Prime)

Returning to Earth in 2005, undergoes a full re-build to regain a disguise mode, this time using a Dodge Ram pickup truck, having lost much of his size due to the missing Matrix. (Alternator Optimus Prime)

Finally regaining the Matrix in 2006, he regains his former power and size and returns to his former disguise mode of an Earth COE tractor cab, though no trailer or Roller. (Classic Optimus Prime)

Good job tying in all those different origins.

I just don't like Shockwave having the Matrix for that long.

Is this history of OP based on the toys only? Because it seems differrent from what I learned of his history in the cartoons. Interesting read nonetheless.

Pretty interesting. Develop it more. Do stories for others as well. This is good work and should be continued.

First Gen wrote:

Wreckgar wrote:Just knocked this out as an idea for an outline of how Optimus Prime has changed over the years, mixing ideas from various continuities, and wondered what others would make of it...

Ancient Times
Created as Orion Pax, a freight worker that transformed into a Cybertronian truck with an electronic lifting arm which could also transform into his drone partner, Roller. (Cartoon/E-Hobby Orion Pax)

Seemingly destroyed by Megatron in an early Decepticon attack, was rebuilt by the ancient Alpha Trion as the archivist Optronix. (War Within Optronix)

After the death of Sentinel Prime, was chosen by the Council of Elders to be the new Matrix Bearer, a role he reluctantly accepted. The Matrix inside him, he grew in size and power to become Optimus Prime, gaining a trailer section which could transform into an armed combat deck and command centre. Roller was also reborn as a multi terrain scout and refuelling vehicle. Left Cybertron in command of the Ark in a desperate bid to find new sources of Energon. Crash landed on prehistoric Earth after an attack from Megatron’s ship, Nemesis. (War Within/Titanium/Stormbringer Optimus Prime)

Modern Times
The Ark’s computer, Teletran-1, is reawakened when Mount St Hilary erupts in 1984 and starts repairing the occupants of the ship. Optimus Prime is rebuilt to have an Earth cab-over-engine tractor-trailer disguise mode. After a combined Autobot-United Nations defeats the Decepticon forces in 1986, the Ark II is built and the Autobots prepare to return home. (Generation 1 Optimus Prime)

The 1987 launch is sabotaged and the ship explodes shortly after take-off, seemingly killing all on board. Optimus Prime’s body is recovered by the U.S. government and is repaired and upgraded to be controlled by the scientist known only by the code-name HI-Q in 1988. This scientist turns out to be an alien from the war-torn planet Nebulos by the name of Ginrai who was working with a hidden group of Autobot Headmasters and Powermasters on Earth. Optimus Prime is restored as a Powermaster, Ginrai acting as his engine. Roller is upgraded into the powerful warrior-drone Apex Bomber. Optimus Prime can combine with both his trailer section and Apex Bomber to form a larger, more heavily armed super robot mode. (Powermaster Optimus Prime)

After Ginrai is killed and the Matrix stolen by Shockwave, Optimus Prime goes into stasis lock. Grimlock restores him in 1990 using the untested substance Nucleon, turning him into a faster and stronger Action Master, also causing him to loose his ability to transform. The similarly restored Wheeljack builds him the Armoured Convoy, a larger truck able to transform into a command station and space jet-pod. (Action Master Optimus Prime)

Returning to Earth in 2005, undergoes a full re-build to regain a disguise mode, this time using a Dodge Ram pickup truck, having lost much of his size due to the missing Matrix. (Alternator Optimus Prime)

Finally regaining the Matrix in 2006, he regains his former power and size and returns to his former disguise mode of an Earth COE tractor cab, though no trailer or Roller. (Classic Optimus Prime)

Good job tying in all those different origins.

I just don't like Shockwave having the Matrix for that long.

Actually, Shockwave having it for all that time wasn't my intention. I thought a kinda version of Marvel's 'Matrix Quest' storyline could fit in during this time.

It's based on a mixture of cartoon, comic and toy storylines, so if all you know is the cartoon, then some will be familiar to you, some wont.

As for expanding on it, I've started coming up with similar histories for other characters (Ultra Magnus, Prowl, Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Jazz so far - I'm leaving Megatron till I read IDW's origin story), and as I do so, the concepts natuarally expand.

Ultra Magnus
Ancient Times
Created at the start of the Great War by the ancient ALPHA TRION using the same design schematics taken from OPTRONIX/OPTIMUS PRIME. A powerful warrior and born leader with Cybertronian truck alternate mode. Titanium War Within Ultra Magnus

After a serious injury all but killed him, underwent radical modifications to combine with a transport trailer section to form a heavily armoured super robot mode, which became his primary form. War Within: Age of Wrath Ultra Magnus

Modern Times
Rebuilt by SHOCKWAVE after the Great Shutdown to resemble an Earth car transporter as a way to placate Autobot insurgents against his ‘unified’ Cybertron. Acted as SHOCKWAVE’S number 2, coming to Earth in 1986 to arrest the ‘war criminals’ OPTIMUS PRIME and his crew. After SHOCKWAVE’S true plans were uncovered, returned to the Autobot ranks in his old post of City Commander. Generation 1 Ultra Magnus

By 2006, is acting as a sort of enforcer of Cybertronian war treatise and comes to Earth in pursuit of the Decepticon criminal BUG BITE. Temporarily without his armour, his disguise mode is a COE tractor cab. Classics Ultra Magnus

After a sneak attack by BUG BITE’S team, undergoes another rebuild, this time opting to only have the 2 forms: a fully armoured super robot mode and an Earth based car carrier. Titanium Ultra Magnus

Wreckgar wrote:Ultra Magnus
Ancient Times
Created at the start of the Great War by the ancient ALPHA TRION using the same design schematics taken from OPTRONIX/OPTIMUS PRIME. A powerful warrior and born leader with Cybertronian truck alternate mode. Titanium War Within Ultra Magnus

After a serious injury all but killed him, underwent radical modifications to combine with a transport trailer section to form a heavily armoured super robot mode, which became his primary form. War Within: Age of Wrath Ultra Magnus

Modern Times
Rebuilt by SHOCKWAVE after the Great Shutdown to resemble an Earth car transporter as a way to placate Autobot insurgents against his ‘unified’ Cybertron. Acted as SHOCKWAVE’S number 2, coming to Earth in 1986 to arrest the ‘war criminals’ OPTIMUS PRIME and his crew. After SHOCKWAVE’S true plans were uncovered, returned to the Autobot ranks in his old post of City Commander. Generation 1 Ultra Magnus

By 2006, is acting as a sort of enforcer of Cybertronian war treatise and comes to Earth in pursuit of the Decepticon criminal BUG BITE. Temporarily without his armour, his disguise mode is a COE tractor cab. Classics Ultra Magnus

After a sneak attack by BUG BITE’S team, undergoes another rebuild, this time opting to only have the 2 forms: a fully armoured super robot mode and an Earth based car carrier. Titanium Ultra Magnus

It is speculated in some forums that ULTRA MAGNUS may actually be DION rebuilt into his current form.

Just thought I'd give you that info so maybe you can tie it at the beginning.

Yeah, I knew about the Dion is Ultra Magnus theory, and it's not really one follow. I kinda like the idea that Dion is more of a tragic footnote in Optimus's origin, perhaps a reason for his utter distast for war (as suggested in War Within)

I had Alpha Trion create Ultra Magnus more as an explanation of his being Optimus's 'brother' (its also a little nod to the Dion/Magnus theory, even though I'm not using it)

You kinda skipped on Star Convoy. Technically speaking, in the Japanese continuity he is the real Optimus Prime.

Yeah, wasn't sure how to fit Star Convoy in. Figured he could be a Furmanesque dimension traveller or something. If anyone has any suggestions though, I'd be happy to hear them

Prowl

Ancient Times
Created shortly before the start of the Great War, sharing the same design schematic as BLUESTREAK and SMOKESCREEN, with a Cybertronian hover-car alternate mode. Left Cybertron as second in command of the Ark in a desperate bid to find new sources of Energon. Crash-landed on prehistoric Earth after an attack from MEGATRON’S ship, Nemesis. Titanium Prowl

Modern Times
The Ark’s computer, Teletran-1, is reawakened when Mount St Hilary erupts in 1984 and starts repairing the occupants of the ship. PROWL is rebuilt to have an Earth Datsun 280ZX police car disguise mode. After a combined Autobot-United Nations defeats the Decepticon forces in 1986, the Ark II is built and the Autobots prepare to return home. Generation 1 Car Prowl

The 1987 launch is sabotaged and the ship explodes shortly after take-off, seemingly killing all on board. GRIMLOCK restores PROWL in 1990 using the untested substance Nucleon, turning him into a faster and stronger Action Master, also causing him to loose his ability to transform. The similarly restored WHEELJACK builds him a turbo-cycle, to transform into a gun placement. Action Master Blaster Prowl

Returning to Earth in 2005, undergoes a full re-build to regain a disguise mode, this time using an Earth Acura RSX police car, no longer sharing BLUESTREAK’S and SMOKESCREEN’S design. Alternator Prowl


Bluestreak

Ancient Times
Created shortly before the start of the Great War, sharing the same design schematic as PROWL and SMOKESCREEN, with a Cybertronian hover-car alternate mode. Joined the Autobot army after his entire city was destroyed by MEGATRON, leaving him as the sole survivor. Left Cybertron in as gunner for the Ark in a desperate bid to find new sources of Energon. Crash-landed on prehistoric Earth after an attack from MEGATRON’S ship, Nemesis. War Within Bluestreak

Modern Times
The Ark’s computer, Teletran-1, is reawakened when Mount St Hilary erupts in 1984 and starts repairing the occupants of the ship. BLUESTREAK is rebuilt to have an Earth Datsun 280ZX disguise mode. After a combined Autobot-United Nations defeats the Decepticon forces in 1986, the Ark II is built and the Autobots prepare to return home. Generation 1 Car Bluestreak

The 1987 launch is sabotaged and the ship explodes shortly after take-off, seemingly killing all on board. BLUESTREAK is rebuilt in 2004 with an Earth Subaru Impretza WRX alternate mode and taking the name SILVERSTREAK. Alternator Silverstreak


Smokescreen
Ancient Times
Created shortly before the start of the Great War, sharing the same design schematic as PROWL and BLUESTREAK, with a Cybertronian hover-car alternate mode. War Within Smokescreen

During the Dark Ages, joined GRIMLOCK’S Lightening Strike Coalition faction.

Modern Times
Rebuilt by SHOCKWAVE after the Great Shutdown to resemble an Earth Datsun 280ZX Turbo. Due to the actions of HOT ROD, was one of the first Autobots to realise SHOCKWAVE was up to no good, and founded his own the Autobot resistance cell. Generation 1 Car Smokescreen

Arrives on Earth in 2004 and is upgraded with a more up to date disguise mode: a Subaru Impretza WRC. Alternator Smokescreen