Raoul. He defeated Megatron with a can of spray paint.

 

Optimus Prime.

 

G1 Optimus is the best Autobot leader period. No brainer.

 

Why?

He couldn't end the war within the span of millions of years. (When a certain leader of the free world couldn't end a war, he and his party got voted out.) Every chance he had to kill Megatron he wasted it (even in the movie). In the cartoon, he abandoned Earth to the Decepticons based once on a stupid bet and again on a court decision due to a Decepticon flim-flam. In the comics, he let himself be blown up because he killed a video game character.

I've never thought Optimus was a particularly potent leader.

This list should've been a lot longer, since G1 covers more than just up to the movie. I'd put Fort Max, Ginrai, Star Saber, and hell even Grimlock above these three.

 

This is a bit like asking who was the best American President:

a) Abraham Lincoln
b) Benjamen Harrison
c) Chester Arthur

 

Isn't this poll a bit like, "Which would you prefer, a blowjob from Megan Fox or a mouthful of fire-covered wasps?"  

 

Has to be Rodimus Prime. He made the impact on me in the movie and even afterwards. Shame the writers turned him into such a loser just to get Optimus back!

They could have shared rule or even had a
Neo and Morpheos from the Matrix or Liono and Jaga from the Thundercats scenario. If RP had years like OP to lead the autobots i'm sure he could have done a lot more and proved why he was the chosen one. I mean come on, Daniel hadn't even aged and Optimus was back in command!

 

Optimus Prime of course. Rodimus Prime made a mess of things, and Ultra Magnus didn't even want to lead. Rodimus coudn't even figure out he could have stopped the Hate Plague by himself. "Rude Awakening" rules!

 

I'll take the wasps.

At least i know where they have been. 

 

Optimus all the way.

 

But that would involve people having to READ!

You tyrant!

I'd like it if the topic was more universal myself. Not only comics, but also the Japanese G1 leaders.

But that would mean people would have to watch cartoons without nostalgiaglasses!

ACK! That can -never- happen!

 

Um all things considered, Ops is the best for one reason. Nearly noone would question Ops a leader. When anyone else was leader in the comics, the Autobots splintered. Star Saber/Ginrai etc etc were all carbon copy clones as "THE NEXT GREAT AUTOBOT LEADER MORE POWERFUL THAN THE LAST!" (Although Big Convoy, he kicks ass.)

A leader is not responsible for ending the war, especially if the other side is unwilling. All things considered, Rodimus wasn't more successful, just right place right time. If he hadn't interfered, Ops probably KOs Megs right there. Plus, Rodimus didn't end the war. Lack of energon ended the war TEMPORARILY. The peace conferences were borne of the needs of that world after a major galatic conflict. Ultimately Ops is great because he keeps the Autobots believing and united despite the length of the conflict. Rodimus was a lame, who couldn't stand up and be himself, constantly worried about not fitting the "status quo." In fact, when Ops came back, he deffered leadership to Ops.

Ops was is and always will be the BEST G1 Leader. All others did an admirable job, but not the level of continued excellence Ops displayed.

 

Grimlock.

Personally I wouldn't actually consider Ultra Magnus in this at all. Yeah he was technically leader for a while, but it wasn't that long, and he really didn't do all that much as leader.

 

Optimus prime!! For the win!!!! >___<"