Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Transformers #30
Few heroes are as iconic as Transformers’ Optimus Prime. For decades, the leader of the Autobots has represented the epitome of inspiring leadership, a truly epic robotic warrior fighting for universal freedom. However, a brand-new story reveals Optimus Prime is no more.
Beyond being one of pop culture’s greatest heroes, Optimus Prime is also known for having one of pop culture’s most tragic deaths. In 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime was killed by Megatron in the first act, paving the way for a new generation of Transformers (and a wave of new toys).
Four decades later, a new twist reveals that Optimus Prime has effectively been killed once more in the recently released Transformers #30 by Robert Kirkman and Dan Mora.
In A Major Twist, Elita-1 Just Became The All-New Elita Prime
In the latest issue of the Energon Universe’s Transformers series from Skybound and Image Comics, tensions between Autobots reach a breaking point with the arrival of Elita-1 on Earth, having come from the ongoing war on Cybertron.
Despite their history and close relationship, Elita cannot fathom why Optimus has chosen to remain on Earth when their own homeworld needs defending. From his view, the Autobots cannot allow humanity to suffer at the expense of their war that has been brought to Earth.
With Megatron and the Decepticons actively threatening the planet, Optimus Prime is determined to defeat the Autobots’ longtime foes here before even thinking about returning to Cybertron. The result is a brief clash between Autobots, with an angered Elita claiming Optimus Prime no longer deserves the Matrix of Leadership.
Ultimately, Optimus Prime makes the surprise decision to relinquish the Matrix of Leadership voluntarily, confirming that the Matrix chooses who the Transformers’ leader should be, not the other way round. Rather than returning to Optimus, the Matrix remarkably chooses Elita-1 herself, transforming her as the all-new Elita Prime, granting her the authority to now lead the Autobots as she sees fit.
It’s an exciting shift in the Transformers mythos and the dawn of a new era. That said, what’s even more surprising is what happens to Optimus Prime in the aftermath of this major Matrix twist.
Optimus Prime Is Dead (Only Optimus Remains)
While the rise of Elita Prime is a huge development, it also means something equally shocking: Optimus Prime no longer exists.
By giving up the Matrix of Leadership, Optimus has lost the title of Prime and has also been transformed physically without its power. No longer one of the tallest Autobots, Optimus is more diminished. He’s also lost his classic face shield (which is definitely a look that’ll be hard to get used to).
It’s a pretty crazy change, especially considering that Optimus Prime had only just been restored a few issues prior (having lost his arm at the beginning of this new Transformers series).
It’s almost like the reverse of Gandalf’s transformation from Gandalf the Grey into Gandalf the White in The Lord of the Rings. Instead of evolving into something greater, Optimus Prime has essentially been stripped of the identity that had long defined him and is now simply Optimus. However, he is no less determined to fulfill his mission on Earth.
That being said, that’s going to be a lot harder to do, now that Elita Prime is splitting the Autobots with orders to return to Cybertron. Likewise, those who choose to stay with Optimus on Earth out of loyalty are no longer considered Autobots.
At any rate, it should be fascinating to see how Optimus chooses to lead without the title of Prime behind him. Although Optimus Prime has effectively died once more, 40 years after his most iconic death, it’s going to be very exciting to see what Optimus alone is still capable of in future issues of Kirkman’s Transformers.
Transformers #30 is available now from Image Comics.