The Energon Pub

In the G1 cartoon, the Matrix is the Matrix of Leadership. Those worth to carry it become an all powerful, wise and intelligent Autobot leader. Never do we see it create new life like the super computer Vector Sigma.

In the G1 comic book by Marvel, its the Creation Matrix. First a program known only to Optimus Prime and the Prime's before him that creates Cybertronian life. And then later it is revealed that the Creation Matrix is an actually physical object, when Simon Furman took over the writing.

So reading the TF wiki about the Matrix in the G1 comic, it says, ""program" concept and the cartoon's "physical object" idea were merged with the explanation that the program was encoded in light patterns in the Matrix's crystal core. As Furman's run progressed, the "lifeforces of previous holders" concept was also adapted into the comics, with the Matrix possessing a genetic memory of those that had held it."

So did the comic book's Creation Matrix also become the Matrix of Leadership then?

In essence, yes. It's your textbook retcon.

In its early, nascent days the Creation Matrix was not contained in the chest. It was *just* a program that could be utilized or transferred via the (what later became referred to as) Matrix bearer's thoughts.

Case in point, when Prime was separated from his body and forced to give life to the Constructicons, he did so via a Krang-esque cradle holding his head in place. Then, in secret, it was transferred to Buster Witwicky, who suddenly gained mental control over metal.

After the TF movie in 86, and in order make itself pertinent, the comic absorbed all the cartoon version's idiosyncracies. However, with the Legacy of Unicron story, Furman took it further, retconning it again to be the life force of Primus instead.

Which has since formed the foundations of most continuities.