Autobot
The Autobots are the protagonists in the Transformers Universe, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all Transformer continuities, the Autobots are the "good guys," "Heroic Autobots" fighting the "Evil Decepticons", who are the antagonists of the various series.
History/origin
In all continuities of Transformers, the Autobots and their adversaries, the Decepticons, originated on the planet Cybertron. The planet is almost always described and/or shown as a purely metallic body. The capital of Cybertron is Iacon. In later issues of the Marvel comic line, Cybertron had weather (e.g. rain). Additionally, since some Transformers had apparently rubber or similar tires, Cybertron must also have some sort of organic components as well.
Hasbro toys
Hasbro launched the Transformers line with eighteen different Autobot characters, all of whom transformed into ground vehicles, while the 10 distinct Decepticons (7 packages as three came two to a box/pack) were weapons, aircraft and communications equipment. Many of the Transformers were based on Takara designs.
Marvel comics
Both Autobots and Decepticons were created by Primus, the Transformer god, who became the planet Cybertron. In most continuties this is still the case. Though Marvel's original series gave no purpose other than benevolent self-image creation for Transformers, some continuities add/modify that the Transformers were created to defend the universe (or simply Primus himself) from Unicron, who in the original Marvel comic was the evil brother of Primus.
Television cartoon/movie
In the original U.S. cartoon line, Autobots were the descendants of a line of robots created as consumer goods by the Quintessons.
Post-80's comics
Each of the various later Transformers comic incarnations had differing origin stories, generally based on fictions provided in the 1980s comic and cartoon series.
Post-80's cartoons
Each of the various later Transformers cartoon incarnations had differing origin stories, generally based on fictions provided in the 1984 cartoon (and occasionally comic) series.
2007 live-action movie
The origin of the Transformers is going to play a significant role in the upcoming Transformers Movie. Early reports are that the cause of the Autobot-Decepticon war will be revealed and that we will see some Cybertron vehicle modes. As yet, most of this is unconfirmed, but producers have stated that this will be a new beginning and not a simple retelling of any prior origin stories.
Autobot leaders
In most continuities the Autobot commander is (or was) Optimus Prime.
Hasbro toys
Optimus Prime was among the first Transformers released from Hasbro in 1984. The character listing/mini-poster that came inside Transformer packaging identified him as "Autobot Commander," as contrasted with Megatron's title of "Decepticon Leader."
Marvel US comics
Optimus Prime first appeared in issue #1 of Marvel's 4-issue limited series (which was extended into the main series). He led a large team of Autobots on a space mission to clear asteroids that threatened to destroy Cybertron. The initial pages did not indicate that Optimus was the mightiest or highest-ranking of the Autobots, but that series solidly established Prime as a capable leader and clearly the commander of the Autobot team that went out to clear the asteroids.
Through the comic's 80-issue run, Optimus Prime would be killed off and resurrected several times. During his absences, other Autobot officers took on the mantle of leadership within the Earth-bound Autobots. They included Prowl, Grimlock, Fortress Maximus, and others. In a future timeline (one that, per events in the "present," can no longer come to pass) the Autobots are commanded by Rodimus Prime.
Marvel UK comics
The UK office of Marvel published comics much more often, usually weekly compared to monthly for the US comic. To accomplish this, the UK comics had additional storylines that were never included in US continuity (and are debated as to their canon-authenticity). In the UK series, much more is learned about Autobot commander Rodimus Prime, whereas in the US continuity, he is only briefly seen, most probably dead, as a prisoner of Galvatron.
Television cartoon/movie
In the animated television series, Optimus Prime was commander of the Autobots until his death in the opening minutes of the Transformers movie, where he passes on command to Ultra Magnus. Ultimately, Hot Rod is reformatted into Rodimus Prime by the Autobot Matrix of Leadership and takes command of the Autobots (in the closing minutes of the movie), leading them in the continuing television series until the resurrection of Optimus, who reassumes command.
Post-80's comics
Transformers were brought back to life through later comic and television runs. Commanders of the Autobots in these retellings, reimaginings, prequels and continuations included:
- Sentinel Prime - The Autobots commander immediately prior to Optimus Prime.
- Optimus Prime
- Optimus Primal - No relation to Optimus Prime.
- When Optimus Prime was seriously injured (almost fatally) by Megatron in Season 3 of Beast Wars, Optimus Primal took charge of Optimus Prime's spark and the Matrix. The exposure of Optimus Primal's body to the Matrix and Optimus Prime's spark caused him to be reformated into Optimal Optimus. For the brief period Optimal Optimus carried Prime's spark and the Matrix, he seemed to be possessed by Optimus Prime, with a slightly noticeable change in voice and demeanor.
- Ultra Magnus - Commander of the Cybertron-based Autobots in the Dreamwave comics, volume II. Also vice-commander of the Autobot forces in the original television series' third season (and Transformers: Headmasters).
Post-80's cartoons
Similarly, a resurgence of interest in the Transformers also brought about many new cartoons; among the Autobot commanders in these were:
- Optimus Prime
- Ultra Magnus
- Optimus Primal
- Rodimus Prime
- Prima
- Vector Prime
- Prime Nova
- Alpha Prime
- Guardian Prime
- Ginrai
- Sentinel Prime
- Omega Prime
- Alpha Trion
- Star Saber
- Star Convoy
- Lio Convoy
- Big Convoy
- Dai Atlas
2007 live-action movie
In the2007 Transformers Movie, Optimus Prime has been confirmed as the Autobot commander for the movie. His appearance is expected to be significantly different from his original form, though still in the same vein. In this movie his team of Autobots on Earth will consist of only four others: Bumblebee, Ratchet, Ironhide and Jazz.
International
The Autobots were called "Cybertrons" in Japan and "Autorobots" in Italy. The Maximals from Transformers: Beast Wars are also known as Cybertrons in Japan, but in the US they are called Maximals and are descendants of the Autobots.
Notes
- The Prime title is a direct linguistic descendant of Primus. It identifies the one Autobot Commander that is entrusted with the Creation Matrix, also known as the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. The Matrix is said to choose its own holder and when it is taken by a new leader (at the old leader's death), it transforms him into a larger, more powerful, wiser Autobot commander. Holders of the Matrix become one with the Matrix, such that when the holder dies, his Spark - the Transformer life force - is absorbed into the Matrix.
- - Primus
- - Prima
- - Prime Nova
- - Sentinel Prime
- - Optimus Prime
- The Autobot symbol is referred to as an "Autobrand" in issue #14 of the Marvel comics series.
See also
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