transformers
The first Primes/The Thirteen

The first Primes/The Thirteen

Prime is the rank of highest possible distinction on Cybertron. The original had their powers flowing through their very CNA. Currently, their powers are something bestowed only to those carrying the Matrix of Leadership containing the will of Primus.

In Japanese medias the title equivalent to Prime is Convoy, the name of the original Diaclone toys that inspired the characters of Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus. However, the name of Convoy is not charged of meaning as its western equivalent and it's not unusual to see it shared between different Autobot leaders in the same media, while others like Dai Atlas, Fortress Maximus, Star Saber, Victory Leo (formerly known as Ginrai) or Victory Saber don't have the title at all, despite being commanders.

G1 continuity

The continuity of the original series The Transformers was expanded by the comics published by Marvel, Dreamwave and IDW. Despite the many inconsistencies between the different authors who worked on G1 products, especially about the name of the characters, the canon gradually established a Prime as a bearer of the Matrix of leadership. Furthermore, with Primon are mentioned among the first Cybertronians Adaptus, Epistemus, Mortilus and Solomus. In some continuities are also mentioned Vector Prime and Logos Prime as the emissaries of Primus.

List of Primes in G1 cartoons and comics

Beast Wars continuity

In Beast Wars the leader of Maximals, Optimus Primal, was not a Prime. Howevere in episode 40 he takes the Matrix-shaped spark chamber of Optimus Prime into his own body and then mutates into Optimal Optimus. In Beast Wars II among the Maximals leaders are Leo Primal, Big Primal, Great Primal and Crow Primal. In the continuity exists also Primal Prime, the Living Matrix created by Vok and the leader of the Wreckers. All of the Maximals leader are part of the Council of Elders.

Transformers: Car Robots

In Transformers: Car Robots (also dubbed as Transformers: Robots in Disguise) the omniscient Vector Sigma choose Optimus Prime (Fire Convoy) as the bearer of the Matrix of Leadership, but his twin brother Ultra Magnus (God Magnus) didn't accept him as the commander-in-chief and challenged him directly. However, the two brothers managed to put aside their rivalry and share the Matrix combining into Omega Prime (God Fire Convoy). In this continuity also Scourge (Black Convoy), being created by a protoform that scanned also Optimus Prime's body, has some Prime-like features.

Unicron Trilogy

In the Unicron Trilogy the only bearer of the Matrix of Leadership and the only Prime mentioned is Optimus Prime. However is present also the character of Rodimus as clear homage to the original Rodimus Prime. Furthermore in the Japanese version of Transformers Cybertron the rank of Optimus Prime is shared also by Evac, Metroplex, Override and Scourge.

Transformers Animated

In Transformers Animated the rank of Prime is attributed to a commander of an Autobot team and all primes are under the authority of Ultra Magnus, commander-in-chief of all the Autobots.

List of TFA's Primes:

Transformers: Exodus

Following the War of the Primes, the Covenant of Primus decreed there would only be one Prime ruling Cybertron at a time. It was technically Primus's right to appoint the Prime and bestow them the Matrix but gradually his children became more and more ignorant of his presence as well as that of his brother Unicron. It seems Sentinel Zeta Prime was the only Prime between the Age of the Primes and Optimus Prime as he fought off the Quintessons, established the Golden Age and tried to combat its decline by establishing the Caste System to Alpha Trion's displeasure. Sentinel was unworthy of the Matrix and the Core said it was only after his death that Optimus could receive it as being a Prime was not a status Trion or the Autobot High Council could grant. The civil war began and continued as Megatron and Starscream both wanted to be Prime and bear the Matrix.

Transformers: War for Cybertron

The High Council declares they exist to choose the Primes, and seemingly referencing the Thirteen, note they have watched as many Primes fell to their greed and pride. In the war of cybertron TV series. The matrix chooses the prime. Optimus became a prime after Alpha Trion gathered Megatron, Ultra Magnus, And Optimus So the matrix can choose it's prime.

Transformers: Prime

"Alpha/Omega"

Megatron traveled to Cybertron with Dreadwing to visit a tomb known to hold the remains of a Prime. He severed the arm of the Prime and attached it to his own body to gain control of the Forge of Solus Prime. With the Forge, he crafted the Dark Star Saber.

Predacons Rising

As he prepared to sacrifice himself to restore the AllSpark to the core of Cybertron, Optimus Prime told his team members that, although they may not technically be Primes, he believed that they had each demonstrated the worth of a Prime in the recent conflict against Unicron.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

The Thirteen Primes had a personal mystic plane of existence known as the Realm of the Primes. After becoming one with the AllSpark, Optimus Prime trained here in preparation for a coming threat to both Earth and Cybertron.

When the return of Megatronus came, Micronus Prime took Optimus to consult the other Primes on their next course of action. Though the other Primes thought that Optimus's training was not complete, Optimus convinced them to give him their power and send him to Earth to deal with Megatronus immediately.

Notable Primes

Trivia

Gallery