G1 Optimus Prime

Here he is, the coolest Transformer of all time! This is the first time I've ever owned a G1 Prime that was purchased MISB off the shelf. Previously, I had an original with no stickers, no rubsign, and no gun. At least he had fists. I also bought a G2 Prime off the shelf in 1996 for $15 CDN. It was cool, but not exactly the same...

This reissue is of course not quite the same either. Smokestacks are shorter and missiles are longer. I've heard the trailer's plastic is slightly softer than the original, to prevent breakage. Roller is silver instead of blue (not a problem...Roller was silver/grey in the TV show anyway). Also, Roller's launcher has no spring. These differences are irrelevant to my enjoyment of Optimus Prime. I really wanted this toy as a child but never got it. Now, many years later, I do!

I had a great time opening the box and putting the stickers on (except for those Autobot symbols on Prime's shoulders :) and transforming everything. Optimus Prime's transformation has to be the coolest ever! Only his knees seem specifically articulated for Robot mode, but due to his transformation, he's almost as poseable as a G.I. Joe figure. Crazy! The craftsmanship on this toy is great. I think the original Diaclone Convoy came out in 1982-83, somewhere around there. A toy version of one of those old flat-faced Freightliner tractor-trailers that transforms into a piloted mecha. The realism is great. That's why the Diaclone-based TFs are so cool. Realism! You can display all your Autobot cars and they look like well-made die-cast Corgi toy cars.

Optimus Prime's robot mode is classic. Red/silver torso/arms, and blue/silver legs, hands and head. Prime's face and helmet are just amazing. Since this was the mid-80s, my friends and I all agreed that Prime was probably a robot ninja, due to his faceplate. He comes with a cool rifle, and his trailer is a repair bay, battle platform, and mobile Autobot HQ. Awesome!

When I first saw the reissued Optimus Prime at TRU, I was really impressed by the packaging, which is a cool homage to the original, but the $54.99 CDN price tag kinda kept me from getting the toy. As I thought about it though, I realized that, in reality, I've been wanting this toy since 1984, so how could I not get it? Next time I saw Optimus at TRU, I bought one. Good decision :) And a great toy!

The ultimate piece in my Transformers collection is this - 20th Anniversary Optimus Prime with an upscaled repro trailer! Just look at the detail!

The trailer is an EXACT replica of the original, resized to be in "Masterpiece" scale! Even the stickers are the same! It also comes with "long" smokestacks to replace the short North American ones.

The Prime toy is top-notch. The designers managed to combine the look of the original toy and the cartoon into one. The articulation is INSANE! There's even a "working" Matrix of Leadership in Prime's chest. The greatest Transformer character & toy of all time!