Optimus Minor

Optimus Minor is the name of a fictional character in the various Transformers universes.

Transformers character
name = Optimus Minor


caption =
affiliation = Maximal
subgroup = Transmetal II
rank = 4.8
function = Ground Commando
partner =
motto =
alternatemodes = Transmetal II
Spider Monkey
series = "Beast Wars"

Beast Wars

The character of Optimus Minor is depicted in two widely different ways, the first is his original toyline depiction and the second version is in comics released by IDW Publishing and Dreamwave Productions some time afterwards.

Optimus Minor is a Maximal and takes the beast form of a monkey. In the toyline Optimus Minor is described as a clone, created and altered by Megatron, although he ended up joining the Maximal ranks. He is described as dangerous and highly aggressive and considered by the Predacons to be "no laughing matter."

Animated series

Optimus Minor's stasis pod was presumably among those who were launched into orbit around prehistoric Earth in the series pilot.

IDW Publishing

Optimus Minor was featured among the Maximals from the "Axalon" in IDW Publishing's "" series. The time line seems to be set before his Dreamwave appearance, as Dinobot's transmetal II clone had not been created yet. Originally his protoform was recovered by Magmatron's Predacons and infected with a Predacon shell program. Unbeknownst to Magmatron, his technical expert Razorbeast was a Maximal double-agent and had managed to modify the program so a significant number of those infected emerged as Maximals. Optimus Minor was one of those who emerged a Maximal, and joined up with Razorbeast's band. He was sent to Ravage's downed transwarp cruiser to steal a Transwarp amplifier to communicate with Cybertron, but was ambushed by Drill Bit. He was saved by Snarl. Minor later accompanied Razorbeast to stop Magmatron from heading back to Cybertron with the unconscious Megatron. Using the distraction afforded as Grimlock and Magmatron battled, Optimus Minor slipped on to Magmatron's time-displacement device and hotwired it. When Razorbeast knocked Magmatron onto it, the equipment sent him back to Cybertron empty handed. After the defeat of Magmatron's Predacons the united group of Maximals awaited rescue from Cybertron.

He appears among the Maximals in the first issue of the sequel story "Beast Wars: The Ascending". In "Beast Wars: The Ascending" Armordillo, B'Boom, Bantor, Buzzclaw, Cybershark, Lazorbeak, Manterror, Optimus Minor, Powerpinch, Ramulus, Razorbeast, Retrax, Scuba, Sky Shadow, Spittor, Stinkbomb and Terragator were wounded in battle and left on Earth. Together they fought and defeated the Blendtrons Drancron, Elephaorpha and Rartorarta. Although Razorbeast survived the battle he was infected with Rartorarta's maddening sting and had to be put down by Optimus Minor to stop him from attacking his allies.

The comic series makes no reference to Optimus Minor as a clone and there is nothing to suggest that he is a clone or is connected with Megatron, since he was among the other Maximals brought online by Magmatron and Razorbeast.

Dreamwave Productions

Optimus Minor would appear in the Dreamwave Productions' Transformers Summer Special. After Megatron's capture, Rattrap remembered the time when he was under attack by Dinobot's clone while testing some digging equipment. His appeals to what was left of his former friend's personality proving ineffectual, he was astonished to be saved by the Maximals Bonecrusher, Optimus Minor and Wolfang. Although Rattrap was happy to discover new Maximals, the three oddly refused to go with him back to Maximal Base. The comic makes no mention if Optimus Minor is a clone or not, there is nothing to suggest that he is a clone yet his name goes unexplained.

Toys

*Beast Wars Optimus Minor (1999):Optimus Minor was a basic sized transmetal II toy released in 1999. He came with a whip accessory which became his tail in monkey mode.