Rodimus Prime as a leader

[jimoinj]

Another G1 season 3 question. Just what was with Rodimus Prime as a leader? He was chosen by the matrix, the chosen one, but by the end even he viewed himself a failure and gave up the leadership to Optimus Prime (apparently the other chosen one). Even when he met Optimus Prime as a half-dead zombie he immediately tried to hand over the matrix to him!

I get that they had him with self-belief problems. That was adding more depth to the character. But it seemed a bit extreme. Like the matrix only changed his body, but his mind remained Hot Rod, albeit depressed and overwhelmed with his responsibilities.

And how about his leadership style? He seemed to mostly rely on Ultra Magnus. Then there was that decision in 'fight or flee' to just blow up the planet, rather than let the decepticons have it. Morally indefensible, by the same logic he should also have destroyed earth. Sometimes his leadership was okay. I found his to be a very weird and inconsistent character, very disappointing after the incredible beginning in the movie. What do you guys think?

[kup]

The cartoon made him into a sucky Prime as he never got over his leadership burden and all that he did all the time was moan and complain.

The Marvel comics interpretation of him was somewhat similar to the cartoon with one crucial and redeeming factor - He got over it and became a proper and dedicated leader.

The Marvel comics also made him much more interesting as he had a bit of a 'mean streak' when compared to Optimus Prime as in him being a bit more ruthless towards Decepticons like putting a bounty on Galvatron's head.

So in the cartoon, he was just a wuss who couldn't stop whining and as a result never got out of Optimus' shadow but in the Marvel comics, he became his own brand of leader.

[GoktimusPrime]

I agree with everything kup said. Just another of many many reasons why many G1 fans prefer the comics over the cartoon.

[Hursticon]

Just another of many many reasons why many G1 fans prefer the comics over the cartoon.

As I read them, I'm starting to feel the same way.

For the short time it was in the cartoon, Ultra Magnus was a far better leader (Even if he couldn't load the Matrix properly within himself the first time ), he was initially reluctant but did what was asked of him anyway like a proper Soldier does.
I've always felt that (Cartoon) Rodimus' constant EMOing was a direct result of him, in Spark, still only being a kid - just in grownup shoes.

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

I found his to be a very weird and inconsistent character, very disappointing after the incredible beginning in the movie. What do you guys think?

Incredible beginning in the movie? All he did was chuck Galvatron out of Unicron's bum and then tell everyone to get out.

I found the cartoon Rodimus lacking in all aspects. Especially in Headmasters, where he just runs off to space after Cybertron got blown up. LOSER. I always thought the Autobots were lucky Galvs was insane otherwise he would have wiped the floor with them.

[Sam]

I always thought the Autobots were lucky Galvs was insane otherwise he would have wiped the floor with them.

+1

Regarding Rodimus' self-belief issues, I think Ultra Magnus had them as well, but as soon as he realised that he did not have to be "the leader" and could just act as a right hand man (or right hand 'bot), he did his job rather well.

[5FDP]

Worst... leader... ever! Between him, Wheelie, Daniel and Blurr, they ruined season 3

Ultra Magnus should have remained as the leader in Prime's absence. Afterall, he did have a little Prime in him

[jimoinj]

I wouldn't take the headmasters as canon. Maybe they did the bad leadership thing deliberately to lead to Optimus Prime coming back. Still, was quite an education as a kid growing up that the supposed chosen one could be so weak and childish.

[kup]

Ultra Magnus should have remained as the leader in Prime's absence. Afterall, he did have a little Prime in him

lol I like that

[LordCyrusOmega]

Was Optimus Prime brought back because Rodimus was failing as a leader and it was a last ditch attempt to revive the series or was it planned all along?

Rodimus never really grew up. Like a child whose parents die and is left to look after his siblings. I've never read the comic so can't comment on them. However this is worse then losing parents in a way. He was responsible for the death then had to protect his siblings constantly from a stronger version of their killer.

from that perspective i get why he was so moany all the time. It also made the transision back to Otimus Prime easier on fans because they never got as attached to Rodimus.