Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime

Hasbro Transformers

Power of the Primes Leader Class Figure

Transformers was one 80s property that I didn't collect as a kid, for whatever reason. I loved the cartoon and the idea behind giant robots turning into vehicles we see in our everyday lives. I'm glad I got a second chance on them much later on when Transformers Classics figures debuted as a filler line around the horrible Michael Bay monstrosities.  There have been several Optimus Prime figures since the beginning in 2006, but none as perfect as this one.  The height, the colors, the look...I'm pretty sure I will never want or need another Optimus for my collection.

As far as the gimmick for the Power of the Primes sub-line, this one is pretty darn cool.  You get two figures in one, with a smaller, pre-Matrix of Leadership Orion Pax, fitting into a larger Optimus Prime shell.  It looks kind of strange at first, when you pop the OP torso and head out of the rest of the body, but the overall transformation works.

The popped out piece is all Orion Pax after transforming.  He's a pretty sturdy, slightly-larger-than deluze size figure.  Like his later form, this Orion is picture perfect for the original Generation One design. The larger gun can be split in two to give Orion a more approprately sized weapon.  He is replacing a more modern take on the character in my collection.

While you've got Orion out in full bot mode, its strange to leave Optimus' shell just standing around.  So let's "transform and roll...away!"  If you watch any of the original toons, you'll see the trailer section of Optimus' vehicle form just shoot out of frame and disappear when he transforms.  The whole of this trailer is formed by the Optimus shell.  It fits together pretty snug, but there are a lot of lines where a truck panel should be smooth.  With the arms and legs folded inside, there isn't room to fit much of anything else.  You could probably fit a couple of really small figures in the back, but the tailgate section formed by the feet isnt really designed all that well for easy access.  Also, it would have be nice if they had incorporated Roller, his blue,six-wheeled drone/scout, somewhere in the design.  Poor Roller...always getting left behind.

When Orion is ready to burn rubber, he transforms into the truck cab.  It looks...well...it suggests the cab in overall form, but its not pretty.  This is the main detractor for this figure.  Grill forward, it's fine.  But from that point on, its' a mess of pieces that don't quite fit right.  Luckily, once you connect the trailer and see the overall picture, it's still pretty impressive.  I like how you can see the Matrix of Leadership inside the cab windows.

































Transforming back into the full Optimus Prime, Ive got one more gripe.  The figure's backside is a mess of gray from the trailer parts.  Also, Orions legs form a weird looking backpack. Like the cab, this kibble (a term that TF fans use to describe parts or pieces that did not blend with the transformation well) can be overlooked in the overall presentation.


















This Leader Class figure scales perfectly with what I consider to be my ultimate Megatron from the Combiner Wars line a few years back.  The blue, red, and yellow are true, bright primary shades as they should be.  The head, the gun, the cab, the smokestacks...Generation One perfection!  He's got a great range of motion to kick Decepticon butt in many great poses.  The Matrix is removable and can be accesessed by opening the front cab, just like in the cartoon.  If "The Touch" didn't start playing in your head the moment you gazed upon his majesty, please seek a doctor immediately.  You might have brain damage or lack of soul.