Power of the Primes

Last updated
Power of the Primes
Transformers - Power of the Primes logo.png
Type Action figure
Company Hasbro
CountryUnited States
SloganAnything is possible and everything is at stake when the power of the Primes is unleashed!
Official website

Power of the Primes is the third and final installment of the Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy , a toyline and transmedia series created by Hasbro as part of the Transformers franchise. It consists of the toy line, as well as the animated web series of the same name.

Contents

Development of the franchise began in November 2016 with the announcement of an animated web series by Machinima, based on the upcoming toyline. In January 2017, Hasbro held a fan-vote to decide which character would become the next Prime in the franchise. In February, it was decided that Optimus Primal would become the next Prime.

Development

Power of the Primes was first announced on November 29, 2016. [1] [2] Hasbro announced that it would once again partner with Machinima—after having previously worked with them on the animated web series adaptation of Transformers: Combiner Wars —to produce the adaptations for Transformers: Titans Return and Transformers: Power of the Primes . [3] Eric Calderon, showrunner of Combiner Wars, was confirmed to have returned for both Titans Return and Power of the Primes. [4]

In January 2017, Hasbro created a poll allowing fans to vote which Transformer will become the next Prime. The vote occurred in two stages. During the first, fans voted for the leaders of three different personality factions: honor, order, and chaos. Honor was represented by Arcee, Ultra Magnus, and Hound; Order by Megatron, Star Saber, and Shockwave; and Chaos by Thunderwing, Optimus Primal, and an Unknown Evil (Deathsaurus). [5] The winners of the first round were Ultra Magnus, Star Saber and Optimus Primal, advancing into the second round alongside the Unknown Evil as a wildcard. [6] The poll ended a month later on February 18, and Optimus Primal was chosen as the next Prime. [7]

At the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con on July 20, Hasbro revealed during their panel some of the figures of the toyline. [8] The figures shown were those of Liege Maximo, Dreadwind, Blackwing, Starscream, Jazz and Rodimus Prime. [8] During Hasbro's first HasCon fan convention in September, the new Combiner Volcanicus was revealed. The combiner is composed of the five Dinobots: Grimlock, Slug, Sludge, Snarl and Swoop. [9] [10]

Controversy

In November 2017, a fan noticed that a tiny print found on the vehicle mode of Jazz featured scribbles that, when translated from the Cybertronian alphabet, read out "MAGA", which is an abbreviation for "Make America Great Again", the slogan of both former President Ronald Reagan and then-President Donald Trump. [11] Hasbro soon released a statement that the issue had been investigated and that a vendor had placed the acronym without authorization. The company also clarified that they are addressing the issue with the vendor and that they "do not intend for [their] products to carry political messages, apologiz[ing] to anyone who was offended by this message". [12]

Animated web series

Transformers: Power of the Primes
Transformers Power of the Primes, official poster, Hasbro and Machinima, Feb 2018.jpg
Official teaser poster featuring Optimus Primal
Genre Science fiction
Based on Transformers
by Hasbro and Takara Tomy
Developed byF. J. DeSanto
Adam Beechen
Jamie Iracleanos
Written byF. J. DeSanto
Adam Beechen
Jamie Iracleanos
Directed byYuzo Sato
Voices of
Country of originUnited States
Japan
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Running time10–12 minutes
Production companies Machinima, Inc.
Hasbro Studios
Tatsunoko Production
Original release
Network go90 (U.S.)
Tumblr (worldwide)
ReleaseMay 1 (2018-05-01) 
July 3, 2018 (2018-07-03)
Related
Transformers: Titans Return
Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy

Transformers: Power of the Primes is an animated web series developed by F.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen and Jamie Iracleanos, and produced by Machinima, Inc. and Hasbro Studios, with the animation provided by Tatsunoko Production. It is the final installment of the Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy series, being the direct sequel to Transformers: Titans Return . The series premiered on May 1, 2018 in the United States on go90, and on Tumblr internationally.

In the aftermath of the Titans' conflict that concluded with Optimus Prime's death, Megatron and the rest of the Transformers must stand together in order to stop Megatronus from wiping out their species forever. During their search for the Requiem Blaster, more mysteries about Cybertron's past will be uncovered, and a new Prime will be chosen. [13]

Casting

On January 9, 2018, it was announced that Mark Hamill, who had previously voiced Megatronus in Transformers: Titans Return, would resume his role for Transformers: Power of the Primes. It was also confirmed that Ron Perlman would voice Optimus Primal, after the character was voted by fans to become the next Prime, while Gregg Berger also reprised his role as Grimlock in addition to Volcanicus, the combined robot form of the five Dinobots. [14] Other voice actors include Jaime King, Mikey Way, Peter Cullen, and Samoa Joe. [14] Judd Nelson, Kari Wahlgren and Wil Wheaton also reprised their roles. [15]

Voice cast

The series features returning actors and newcomers as part of the cast. [16]

Episodes

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
191"The Swamp"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosMay 1, 2018 (2018-05-01)TBA
Megatronus hunts for the Requiem Blaster as we learn about its mysterious past. Elsewhere, Megatron and his team are also searching for the weapon, hoping to get to it first, when they encounter Grimlock and his fellow Dinobots.
202"Volcanicus"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosMay 8, 2018 (2018-05-08)TBA
Megatron awakens miles away to find a mysterious structure. Curious, he makes his way there, leaving his team to fend for themselves. Vulnerable without him, the team is on the brink of defeat at the hands of Volcanicus when another threat arrives hoping to destroy them.
213"Without Warning"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosMay 15, 2018 (2018-05-15)TBA
Still without Megatron, the team must now fend off both Volcanicus and Predaking. Meanwhile, Megatronus arrives at the Well of Sparks to forge a new device that will help him accomplish his nefarious plan.
224"Primal"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosMay 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)TBA
With our heroes cornered, Predaking demands Victorion hand over the Enigma of Combination while unaware that Megatronus took away the Enigma of Combination. Inside the mysterious dome, Megatron finds the Requiem Blaster, but is confronted by a mysterious figure guarding it.
235"Athenaeum Sanctorum"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosMay 29, 2018 (2018-05-29)TBA
Hot on the heels of our heroes, Overlord and Rodimus Cron confront the Dinobots and gain vital information as to the teams whereabouts. Meanwhile, the team learns the tragic fate of one of the Thirteen.
246"Countdown"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosJune 5, 2018 (2018-06-05)TBA
Overlord and Rodimus Cron finally confront the protagonists, while Optimus Primal makes a tough decision that changes the course of the battle. Alas, having found Megatron, Overlord is determined to get his revenge.
257"Consequences"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosJune 12, 2018 (2018-06-12)TBA
Megatron finally figures out Megatronus’ plan, but fears it may be too late to stop him when Megatronus arrives to claim the Requiem Blaster for himself.
268"Collision Course"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosJune 19, 2018 (2018-06-19)TBA
With the Requiem Blaster in his possession, Megatronus launches his now completed device, draining the sparks of Transformers everywhere. With their fate at risk, our heroes must fight Megatronus one last time.
279"Megatronus Unleashed"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosJune 26, 2018 (2018-06-26)TBA
To save their race, our heroes must destroy Megatronus’ machine, but first they must fend off a possessed Rodimus Cron.
2810"Saga's End"Yuzo SatoF.J. DeSanto, Adam Beechen, and Jamie IracleanosJuly 3, 2018 (2018-07-03)TBA
The final battle between Megatronus and the Transformers leads to unforeseen consequences that will have a startling impact on Cybertron and the entire universe.

Comic book

According to John Barber, editor of IDW Publishing, [17] the ongoing Transformers comics published by the company will not feature a crossover event based on Power of the Primes. [18] [19] IDW had previously published crossover events based on Combiner Wars [20] and Titans Return. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megatron</span> Transformers character

Megatron is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Transformers media franchise produced by the American toy company Hasbro and the Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. He is the tyrannical leader of the Decepticons, a villainous faction of alien robots that seeks to conquer their home planet of Cybertron and the rest of the known universe, and serves as the archenemy of Optimus Prime, the leader of the rival Autobot faction. As with all Cybertronians, Megatron can disguise himself by transforming into vehicles or weapons. His alternate modes have included a Walther P38 handgun, a particle-beam weapon, a telescopic laser cannon, a Cybertronian jet, and various tanks, depending on which continuity he is depicted in. In some continuities, his original name is D-16.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grimlock</span> Transformers character

Grimlock is the name of several fictional robot characters in the Transformers robot franchise. He is usually portrayed as the leader of the Dinobots, which are a subfaction of Autobots who can transform into metal dinosaurs. Grimlock is known for his dialogue being spoken in the third person. He appeared on screen along with other Dinobots in the fourth installment of the Transformers film series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Autobot</span> Faction of sentient robots from the Transformers universe

The Autobots are a fictional faction of sentient robots in the Transformers multimedia franchise. The Autobots are living robots from the planet Cybertron who, like most Transformers, are each imbued with a unique "life force" known as a "spark." Led by Optimus Prime in most stories, the Autobots believe "freedom is the right of all sentient life" and are often engaged in a civil war with the Decepticons, a faction of Transformers dedicated to military conquest and usually headed by Megatron. In a mirror universe portrayed in Transformers: Shattered Glass, the Autobots are villains opposed by the heroic Decepticons.

Transformers, is a media franchise produced by Japanese toy company Takara Tomy and American toy company Hasbro. It primarily follows the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, such as vehicles and animals. The franchise encompasses toys, animation, comic books, video games and films. As of 2011, it generated more than ¥2 trillion in revenue, making it one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arcee</span> Transformers character

Arcee is a robot character in the Transformers franchise, an Autobot usually pink or blue in color. She has made more appearances and has had several more incarnations than any other female Transformer. Arcee's design, alternate mode, and personality vary depending on continuity.

<i>Transformers: Energon</i> Television series

Transformers: Energon, known in Japan as Transformers: Superlink, is a Japanese anime series which debuted on January 9, 2004. It is a direct sequel to Transformers: Armada. It is also the first Japanese Transformers show where the Transformers are computer-generated (CG), in a cel-shaded technique similar to the Zoids anime, which was a trend that would continue into the next series, Transformers: Cybertron.

Bumblebee (<i>Transformers</i>) Transformers character

Bumblebee is a fictional robot character appearing in the many continuities in the Transformers franchise. The character is a member of the Autobots, a group of sentient, self-configuring, modular extraterrestrial robotic lifeforms.

There have been four main publishers of the comic book series bearing the name Transformers based on the toy lines of the same name. The first series was produced by Marvel Comics from 1984 to 1991, which ran for 80 issues and produced four spin-off miniseries. This was followed by a second volume titled Transformers: Generation 2, which ran for 12 issues starting in 1993. The second major series was produced by Dreamwave Productions from 2002 to 2004 with multiple limited series as well, and within multiple story continuities, until the company became bankrupt in 2005. The third and fourth series have been published by IDW Publishing with the third series starting with an issue #0 in October 2005 and a regular series starting in January 2006 to November 2018. The fourth series started in March 2019 with issue #1 and concluded in June 2022. There are also several limited series being produced by IDW as well. Skybound Entertainment began publishing Transformers comics starting in June 2023, kicking off the Energon Universe. In addition to these four main publishers, there have also been several other smaller publishers with varying degrees of success.

Cliffjumper is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers franchise. His name is usually associated with an Autobot whose toys are often red repaints or remold of Bumblebee toys.

Transformers: Generation One was a Dreamwave Productions comic book series, consisting of two six-issue limited series and an ongoing title. Within the same continuity were three other Dreamwave series: a series of character profiles entitled Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye, a prequel miniseries entitled, Transformers: Micromasters and another prequel ongoing miniseries called Transformers: The War Within. In addition, a single story was part of the Transformers Summer Special. All ongoing series were cancelled in 2005 due to Dreamwave's bankruptcy, leaving their plotlines unresolved.

<i>The Transformers</i> (IDW Publishing) Comic book line

The Transformers is a comic book line by IDW Publishing based upon Hasbro's Transformers characters and toy line, featuring many writers and artists across multiple series. It is notable for being the longest continuously running Transformers continuity to date, beginning in October 2005 with The Transformers: Infiltration and ending in November 2018, after the six-issue Unicron event comic. The following year, it would be rebooted and succeeded by a new comic book series on 2019.

Windblade is a name of a character in several Transformers continuities in the Transformers robot superhero franchise. She is always depicted as a female Autobot that can turn into a VTOL jet.

<i>Transformers: Combiner Wars</i> 2016 multi-national TV series or program

Transformers: Combiner Wars is an animated web series developed by Eric S. Calderon, George Krstic, and F.J. DeSanto. Part of the Transformers franchise, it is the first installment of the Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy, featuring elements taken from the Generation 1 continuity family and the comic books by IDW Publishing.

<i>Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy</i> Multimedia toy storyline by Hasbro

Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy is a toyline and transmedia series that is part of the Transformers franchise by Hasbro.

<i>Transformers: Titans Return</i> 2017 multi-national TV series or program

Transformers: Titans Return is an animated web series developed by Eric S. Calderon, Adam Beechen and F.J. DeSanto, and produced by Machinima, Inc. and Hasbro Studios, with the animation handled by Tatsunoko Production. Based on the Transformers franchise, it is the sequel to Transformers: Combiner Wars and the second installment of the Prime Wars Trilogy.

Transformers: Cyberverse is a cel shaded computer-animated series based on the Transformers toy franchise by Hasbro. The series debuted on Cartoon Network on August 27, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dinobot (Beast Wars)</span> Beast Wars character

Dinobot is a fictional character from Beast Wars in the Transformers universe. He is driven by a code of honor somewhat modeled on samurai bushido. He first debuted in the series premiere as a subordinate of Megatron, leader of the villainous Predacons. While he initially joins Megatron, Dinobot eventually challenges Megatron's leadership and is shortly expelled from his crew. He then joins the ranks of Optimus Primal and the Maximals. He fights alongside the Maximals as part of their crew before ultimately sacrificing himself to save a group of primates that eventually become the human race from a Predacon onslaught.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sentinel Prime</span> Character in the Transformers franchise

Sentinel Prime is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. Generally depicted as an Autobot leader, Sentinel Prime has served as either a supporting character or antagonist in Transformers media. His first film appearance was in the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon as the main antagonist, and he eventually returns as the main antagonist in the 2024 animated film Transformers One.

References

  1. Couch, Aaron (November 29, 2016). "'Transformers' Unveils Endgame in Its 'Prime Wars Trilogy'". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  2. Sokol, Tony (November 29, 2016). "Machinima And Hasbro Team to Continue Transformers Animated Web Series". Den of Geek!. Dennis Publishing. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  3. Trumbore, Dave (November 29, 2016). "'Transformers' Animated Web Series 'The Prime Wars Trilogy' to Continue on Machinima". Collider . Complex Media. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  4. Hipes, Patrick (November 29, 2016). "Machinima & Hasbro Reteam To Develop Final Two Transformers Prime War Trilogy Chapters". Deadline Hollywood . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  5. Fahey, Mike (January 27, 2017). "Transformers Fans Are Voting For The Next Leader Of Cybertron". Kotaku Australia . Univision Communications. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  6. Fahey, Mike (January 27, 2018). "One Of These Four Transformers Will Be The Next Leader Of Cybertron". Kotaku . Univision Communications. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  7. Fahey, Mike (February 18, 2017). "The Next Leader Of Cybertron Is A Total Beast". Kotaku . Univision Communications. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Sheehan, Gavin (July 20, 2017). "Megatron Takes Over The Hasbro Transformers Panel, Shows Us New Figures". Bleeding Cool . Avatar Press. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  9. Fahey, Mike (September 13, 2017). "Transformers' Dinobots Finally Combine To Form A Giant Robot". Kotaku . Univision Communications. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  10. Arrant, Chris (September 13, 2017). "Meet Transformers' New Dinobot Combiner, Volcanicus". Newsarama . Purch Group. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  11. Whitbrook, James (November 17, 2017). "Uh, Is This Transformers Toy a Trump Supporter?". io9, Gizmodo . Univision Communications. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  12. Glass, Joe (November 18, 2017). "New Transformers Jazz Toy Seems To Support President Donald Trump". Bleeding Cool . Avatar Press. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  13. "First Teaser Poster for Transformers: Power of the Primes". Bleeding Cool . February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  14. 1 2 McMillan, Graeme (January 9, 2018). "Mark Hamill, Ron Perlman Join 'Transformers' Animated Series". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  15. Weiss, Josh (January 9, 2018). "Mark Hamill and Ron Perlman join voice cast of upcoming Transformers animated miniseries". Syfy. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  16. "Mark Hamill And Ron Perlman Join Machinima/Hasbro's Transformers: Prime Wars Trilogy". lrmonline.com. January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  17. "IDW Welcomes John Barber as Senior Editor". Comic Book Resources . Valnet Inc. July 12, 2011. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  18. Barber, John [@TheJohnBarber] (March 1, 2018). "I don't really know anything about POTP. At one time the TF comics were going to do a tie-in with the then-not-yet-named third Prime Wars thing, which worked out because RID/TF/OP had been building to the Onyx Prime story since issue, what, RID 28? Something like that" (Tweet). Retrieved March 8, 2018 via Twitter.
  19. Barber, John [@TheJohnBarber] (March 1, 2018). "But somewhere along the line, the plan for an explicit, named, tie-in got dropped. The Onyx Prime story was always going to happen, though. Like, I pitched the storyline a loooooong time ago" (Tweet). Retrieved March 8, 2018 via Twitter.
  20. "Transformers: Combiner Wars". IDW Publishing. August 2015. Archived from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  21. "Transformers: Titans Return". IDW Publishing. January 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2018.