Optimus Prime 18

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"The Falling, Interlude:
The First Who Was Named"
Attribution Information
Writer(s) John Barber
Artist(s) Sara Pitre-Durocher (Page 1-2, 19-20)
Livio Ramondelli (Page 3-18)
Letterer(s) Tom B. Long
Colorist(s) Josh Burcham (Page 1-2, 19-20)
Cover artist(s) Josh Burcham (Cover A)
Livio Ramondelli (Cover B)
Kei Zama (Cover A, Retailer incentive)
Editor(s) David Mariotte
Publication Information
Publisher IDW Publishing
Publication Date April 18, 2018
Pages 32
General Information
Timeline 2018 AD
Series Optimus Prime
Preceded by "The Falling, Chapter 3: The Ground"
Followed by "The Falling, Chapter 4"

Optimus Prime 18 is the eighteenth issue of the IDW Publishing comic book series Optimus Prime. It was written by John Barber with art by Sara Pitre-Durocher and Livio Ramondelli. It was released on April 18, 2018.

Publisher's summary[edit | edit source]

“The Falling,” Interlude. All hope seems lost as Onyx Prime confronts Optimus—but why has Onyx returned? What’s his ultimate goal? Millions of years worth of mysteries are solved as the secret history of Onyx Prime is finally revealed!

Plot summary[edit | edit source]

On Cybertron, Metrotitan lies on the ground dead, Devastator has broken Starscream out of prison, and Liege Maximo looks on as a wounded Optimus Prime is chained up aboard the Nemesis being guarded by Shockwave and his Maximals. Prime demands why Shockwave has reverted to his post-shadowplay self, rather than the senator he once was. Shockwave answers by saying time has led him, showing the scientist things more than he has ever imagined.

In his early days, Shockwave was ambitious, wishing to improve Cybertron for the better and saw himself in a young Orion Pax. However, after his subsequent arrest and mind-warping, he realized that emotion hampered his ability to carry out his purpose, replacing it with cold, hard logic. In 2012 AD, as the singularity enveloped him in the Crystal City, he realized ambition only restrained by logic had extreme limitations; however, he believed his epiphany had come to late as he seemingly felt his spark extinguish.

Instead, the singularity discharged Shockwave, albeit extremely damaged, onto Cybertron, albeit twelve million years ago. He walked alone for years, his energon reserves dwindling, until he came across Onyx, a shepherd herding his flock of beasts. Onyx offered him energon and repair, but Shockwave promptly shot and killed him. All of the beasts scattered, except for one, who Shockwave dubbed Megatronus. Shockwave corralled the animals and Megatronus as he took the mantle of Onyx Prime, fashioning armor out of the true Onyx's body. He taught them of Cybertron and its ways, as he prepared them for war, with Megatronus proving an eager pupil.

Shockwave realized that neither logic nor emotions controlled his actions, but rather history, for he was now its molder. Megatronus was molded into a warrior and soon attacked Protohex to free Arcee and Galvatron for his armies. "Onyx" then met with the other Primes, convincing them to unite against the Darklanders. While he already knew the outcome, Shockwave wished to create a test model to discover why Cybertronian society always destabilized and lead to warfare.

From that conflict, Crystal City was raised from its humble beginnings to a shining example to the rest of the galaxy, under the leadership of Prima. Shockwave studied the Primes, recognizing Solus' ambition and creations as a sign that she must be elimnated. "Onyx" then urged expansion, saying it would be the best way for Cybertron to thrive and they could spread their gift of reason and immortality. Alongside the Omega Sentinels, Megatronus and "Onyx" laid waste to the first planet they came across, thus giving the greater galaxy knowledge of the Cybertronians. "Onyx" took Alpha Trion with him to witness the beginning of their great conquests, also gifting the planet to him.

Upon their return, Prima was livid, blaming Megatronus' violence for the planet's rebellion. Megatronus felt betrayed and looked to Solus for support, but the blacksmith agreed with Prima, saying that progress should be a guide, not a destroyer. "onyx" then influenced Liege Maximo to convince the Darklander that Prima was standing in the way of progress, and must be eliminated. Megatronus attempted to assassinate Cybertron's leader, but Solus attempted to save him, ending up with the Star Saber through her spark. As Megatronus fled, Prima came to and ordered Maximo to be arrested. The Prime of lies was imprisoned within his own Titan, Vigilem, and sent into exile on "Onyx"'s suggestion.

"Onyx", Prima, and Trion set off aboard Prima's Titan Emissary in an attempt to bring Megatronus to justice. While Trion remained behind, "Onyx" and Prima set forth to Tsiehshi to hunt their quaary.

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Optimus Prime
Main issues
Volume 1:

Volume 2:

Volume 3:

Volume 4:

Volume 5:

Trade paperbacks