Profile: If he had been on Earth, he would be a doctor, a mechanic, a scientist and a warrior. But on Cybertron there is no difference between these professions. So Optimus uses his skills to heal and repair- which are the same things to Autobots- to improve the world around him and, if necessary, to fight. Both in power and intelligence, he has no equal. He has the personality of an Abraham Lincoln. He can be immensely kind and his compassion extends to all that lives, including the creatures of Earth. Yet he will battle unceasingly to protect the weak and defend what he believes in. To accomplish this, Optimus knows that the Decepticons must be defeated for all time.

Abilities: In robot mode. Optimus Prime actually splits into three components. The Optimus module is the robotic sentient being that is the storehouse of his vast knowledge and strength. He can lift 4,000,000 lbs. and a blow from his fist exerts a force of 12,000 lbs. per sq. inch. He carries a laser rifle and can burn a hole in the nosecone of a Decepticon jet fighter at a distance of 30 miles, aided by his outstanding visual acuity. His Prime module, also known as Roller, is a small cart-shaped device that he uses to unobtrusively slip behind enemy lines. He can maintain radio control over it at distances up to 1200 miles. Having Roller present somewhere is like being there himself. He can operate by remote-control his Combat Deck module up to a distance of 1500 feet. The Auto-Launcher mounted on the Deck can use a variety of artillery and radiation beam weapons, including most of those used by his fellow Autobots. The Launcher also includes a highly dexterous grapple-arm which allows it to load itself and change its weaponry. The communications disk antenna mounted on the launcher provides a link between Optimus and all his fellow Autobots within a radius of 50 miles. It can be adapted to a satellite hook-up that increases its effective range 10-fold.

Weaknesses: Although Optimus Prime can function as three independent modules, injury to any one ot the modules is felt by the other two. Roller is particularly vulnerable, especially in the behind-the-lines situations in which he specializes. However, the Optimus module is by far the most important component of the trio. Although he could survive without the other two, they could not survive without him. Otherwise, the only weakness he could be accused of having is being too compassionate and concerned about the safety of others. He would be a more effective military commander if he were more ruthless, but then he wouldn't be Optimus Prime.

In Transformers: The Movie, he was killed in a fight with Megatron, which cost Megatron his own life as well. Prime was later brought back to life by a Quintesson and released the wisdom of the ages, stored within the leadership matrix, to end the spore plague. In the Japanese timeline, Optimus Prime later died again in the Headmasters series. He remained dead through both Transformers: Victory, and Transformers: Zone. Later he was resurrected yet again as Star Convoy (In Japan, his name was Convoy).

In the Beast Wars saga, the role of Optimus Prime was taken over by Optimus Primal. Prime himself lay dormant in the Ark. At one point the Predacon Megatron almost killed Optimus Prime. However, Prime’s life was saved when Optimus Primal took his Spark into himself.

Prime was later reinvented as a Fire Truck for the Robots In Disguise (RID) series. In this alternate timeline Prime was still exactly that, Prime. In spite of his no longer being a semi truck, he did finally return to his original colors which were Red, White, and Blue. This prime possessed a special ability, the ability to merge with his brother Ultra Magnus and become Omega Prime. This new incarnation was by far the most powerful of them all. However, the RID show lasted for a mere 39 episodes, ending in a colossal battle at the center of the Earth between Galvatron and Omega Prime. Now, in Transformers: Armada, Optimus Prime has returned to his roots as truck, although this form is a much more futuristic looking truck than the previous one. Prime has retained all that he originally had, and has gained the ability to merge with his trailer and become even more powerful. In this series his powers are augmented even farther when his mini-con partner, Sparkplug, merges with him.

Prime evolved much differently in the comic book, but still maintained the same character. He died after he killed some video game characters in order to defeat Megatron in Transformers #24. Considering that to be cheating, although Megatron had already cheated, Prime allowed himself to be blown up, for the sake of honor. Later it was found that Ethan Zachery the human who had been responsible for the video game had saved Prime’s mind onto a floppy disk. In issue #42 Prime was reborn, this time with the ability to combine with his trailer. Also he became binary bonded to the Nebulan known as Hi-Q, and thus became known as Powermaster Optimus Prime. The following is that profile from Marvel’s Transformers Universe:

Profile: Sage, scholar, soldier- Optimus Prime is all this and more. To peace-loving beings across the galaxy the revered leader of the Autobots is the living symbol of freedom -- a beacon that shines against the forces of darkness. To his followers he is a bottomless well of inspiration and courage from which they draw their strength. And to the evil Decepticons he is the one force in the universe who can shatter their dreams of galactic conquest. He has dedicated his existence to the protection of all life forms -- mechanical, organic and otherwise. His wisdom and compassion are legendary. Although fate has set his course on a path of destruction and strife, his greatest desire is to bring peace and harmony to all inhabited worlds everywhere. Optimus Prime is binary bonded-to Hi Q, a humanoid whose genius in computer programming and design was renowned on his home planet of Nebulos. There he ran the Hi Q Industrial Research Complex, a facility that had, over the past few decades, dramatically improved the quality of life for his people. While trying to help several Autobots rebuild Optimus Prime, he made the decision to join the Autobots and defend Nebulos against a Decepticon attack. To do so, he and several of his employees underwent The Powermaster Process, which, through bio-engineering, gave them the ability to transform into the engines that their Autobot partners required to power their fight against the Decepticons. Hi Q was paired with Optimus Prime. So far their collaborative efforts have met with great success.

Abilities: Optimus Prime is the strongest and most intelligent of all the Autobots. His strategic, logic, and programming skills have no equal among Transformers. He splits into-three modules: robot, auxiliary and battle station. The van portion of his trailer truck mode transforms into the robot or "Optimus" module, which is the part of him that is sentient and is most commonly referred to as Optimus Prime. In this mode he can lift 4,000,000 pounds and exert a force of 12,000 pounds per square inch with a single punch. He carries a laser rifle with which he can bum a hole in the nose cone of a Decepticon jet at a distance of 30 miles. And with his outstanding visual acuity, he rarely misses. His auxiliary or "Prime" module is a small cart-shaped device that he stores in his trailer portion and occasionally uses to sneak behind enemy lines for reconnaissance purposes. He can maintain radio control over it within a 1200-mile radius. Having his auxiliary unit in the field is like being there himself. The trailer portion of his truck turns into his battle station module, which also serves as an armed fortress. It is equipped with two concussion blasters, two twin particle beam cannons, an auto-launcher that shoots a variety of artillery and radiation beam weapons, and a landing platform. An antenna within the battle station allows Optimus Prime to control it and also to maintain a radio link to all Autobots within a 50-mile radius. The antenna can be adapted to a satellite hookup, which provides a tenfold increase in its effective range. In robot mode, he can combine with his trailer module and more than double his size and quadruple his strength. Traditionally, the elders of the Transformer race have bestowed upon an individual of great courage and wisdom the Creation Matrix, an intricate program encoded in light patterns within a crystal. The Matrix grants its bearer the amazing ability to help create new Transformer life within the lifeless shell of a newly constructed Transformer body. Since the beginning of the Autobot-Decepticon war, an Autobot Commander has typically possessed the Matrix. The most recent Autobot leader to be so honored was Optimus Prime.

Weaknesses: Although Optimus Prime can function as three separate modules, injury to any one of them is felt by the other two. The auxiliary unit is particularly vulnerable. However, the Optimus module is by far the most important unit of the trio. Although he could survive without the other two, they could not survive without him. Otherwise, the only weakness he could be accused of having is compassion and concern for the safety of others. He would be a more effective military commander if he were more ruthless, but then he wouldn't be Optimus Prime.

Prime later sacrificed himself again in order to destroy the dark god Unicron. However, the powermaster process had an interesting effect. Instead of dying, Prime actually became Hi-Q. Later, the Last Autobot recreated them, making their two essences one, having done so Optimus Prime went to the planet Klo, where the Decepticons were finally defeated. However, it never truly ends, and in Transformers: Generation 2, Optimus was forced to fight again. Teaming up with his old foes to defeat the second generation of Decepticons, Prime was again forced to sacrifice himself to save the lives of many. Bonding with the dark storm, Prime taught it the meaning of life, filling it with all that Primus had intended. In gratitude, the storm recreated Prime yet again, however, in his heart of hearts, Prime knows, that it never truly ends.