Blitzwing
Bombshell
Cliffjumper
Cyclonus
Elita-One
Galvatron
Gears
Grimlock
Hoist
Hot Rod
Hound
Inferno
Ironhide
Jazz
Megatron
Optimus Prime
Perceptor
Prowl
Ramjet
Ratchet
Rodimus Prime
Rumble
Skyfire
Skywarp
Slag
Snarl
Starscream
Swoop
Thundercracker
Thrust
Tracks
Ultra Magnus
Wheeljack

Function: Fearless Leader and Tireless Defender of Freedom, Justice, and the Ameri— I mean, Autobot Way™ Voice Actor: Peter Cullen First Appearance: "More Than Meets The Eye, Part 1"

Nightwind's Words of Wisdom:

The big kahuna. I never much cared for Optimus, myself. It wasn't that I didn't like him, really. I'm just not fond of the character archetype that he represents. He is, for my tastes, way too much the stereotypical perfect, flawless cartoon hero. He's like John Wayne that way, even down to the speech pattern. (Especially when Peter Cullen lets loose with a bit of that sexy Texas drawl of his. Ooo-WEEE!) Heck, I watch TFs and if I'm in the right silly frame of mind I'll add the word "pilgrim" to the end of every one of OP's lines and laugh myself silly as a result. But in the end...Well, in the end I don't like John Wayne. Well, no, that's fair. I don't dislike John Wayne the person; I only dislike the type of character he generally played in the movies, the All-American Macho Hero Dude. Blargh! We've seen that sort of character a billion times before. Boring!

So, we've seen Optimus Prime a million times before in a billion other cartoons. And so, watching him, he offered nothing different to me, for the most part, nothing new, nothing interesting, nothing to make me adore him the way that I adore some of his wacky underlings and some of his loony mortal enemies. Now, I could certainly see how/why kids would look up to him and idolize him and why those now-grown-up kids would still remember him fondly in a more mature but rather nostalgic sort of way...but I was never a kid when watching TFs. I only ever saw "Optimus Prime the Boring Stereotype," not "Optimus Prime the Hero To Be Idolized." So I never became really attached to Optimus Prime at all. He is/was just...there. Oh, sometimes, he can grab my attention, yes. And I do admit that I like to torment him with lots of angst in fanfic. Indeed, I like my Optimus Prime, the OP that I write in fanfic, quite well, thank you. And sometimes I do love his canon self bunches, even. But that's very, very rare. More often, I love to see poor Optimus get blown away. Yes, I'm afraid it wasn't until Rodimus Prime came along that I unequivocally adored the Autobot leader...and then, of course, they brought back Optimus. Oh, poo! :P

The Official Word:

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 1,200 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 1,500 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 ten-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

Miscellaneous:

Best Place to OP-Watch:
Well, he's in practically every freakin' pre-movie episode, isn't he? So...take your pick. However I personally think ol' Oppy-poo has his best showing in "Prime Target." He kicks booty in that episode and he's far more...well, human, for lack of a better term, than he is in any other episode. For that episode, The Stereotype is put aside for a little bit while Optimus channels Rambo for half an hour.

Other than that...Well, he's fun to ridicule in "Megatron's Master Plan." Major MST fodder there!

Nightwind's Favorite Optimus Prime Quotes:

"Amazing! A booby trap that actually catches boobies!"
~From the aforementioned "Prime Target." Heh heh... He said "boobies"...

"Oh, here comes that sinking feeling."
~Watching "Kremzeek" wreak havoc. I just love it when OP's not being all John-Wayne-Hero-ish. He's much more fun when he's a normal mortal, especially when he's allowed to use that dry, ascerbic wit of his...

"Ouch!"
~After running into the back end of a train at full speed in "Kremzeek!" For some reason, that just makes me giggle...

"Am I drooling correctly?"
~Practicing his dribbling skills in "The Master Builders." And no, OP. Watch me when I'm ogling Prowl. Then you'll see correct drooling... ;)

"Megatron...you FIEND!!"
~Utterly appalled at Megatron's dastardliness in "Enter the Nightbird." Ooooh, watch Nightwind die lauging... *snork* It's the delivery, I tell you!