So I'm reading Beast Wars: The Ascending, and Lio Convoy and Big Convoy are in the story. So here is my question; Is Convoy the Maximal equivalent to the Autobots Prime? Was the title of Prime changed when many Autobots became Maximals? And I suppose....technically, wouldn't that mean Primal Prime would be Primal Convoy? But you get my drift, right? (I do realize that Convoy is the Japanese name for Prime but for Beast Wars purposes I'm asking.)
I dunno. Maybe it'll stay as primal prime since Vector Prime in japan was still Vector Prime (The japanese one came first though). Edit: I believe Optimus Primal was also called Convoy.
The major difference there, however, is that Prime was not being used as a leadership title with Vector Prime, the way it is with Optimus Prime or Rodimus Prime, so there was no reason to adapt it as such.
If you believe "Ask Vector Prime" then Vector Prime had the autobot matrix of leadership. Plus, he was one of the original 13 and the guardian of space and time. It’s fair assumption that Vector Prime was once the leader of the autobots. The autobot leader does not have to die to relinquish of the matrix. Optimus Prime was still referred to as Optimus Prime weather with or without the matrix.
Now back to the original question. Lio Convoy, Big Convoy and Optimus Primal (aka Convoy or Beast Convoy) have lesser matrices of leadership forged by Vector Sigma. I know people like BW haters and some other like to deny it but Optimus Primal, Lio Convoy and Big Convoy were the “Optimus Primes” of the their respective series. Now there are different continuities and most primes differ from G1 Optimus Prime but with every transformers’ series comes some incarnation of Optimus Prime. We can tell from the head sculpt and name. I include the BW convoys into my Optimus Prime/ Primal/Convoy collection. I do exclude the other planet leaders from cybertron and rodimus.
The way I look at it is that when writing the Ascending, the names LioConvoy and Big Convoy are more identifiable to the fandom than Leo Prime or uh...Big Prime? Not withstanding the fact that Leo Prime sounds very lame. To answer the original question, I dont believe for "beast wars" purposes I think that Primal became the replacement for Prime.
i dont think it has anything to do with the fact that its bot/maxis its the difference between america and japan. convoy being what the jap last name/title is for primes. Big Convoy and Leo convoy didnt have americanized versions, untill now... and robotmasters. keeping the jap. titles, saves from calling them all Optimus Primal. Most of the g1s and before, had a first name and prime being the title. then BW changed it, like optimus was the title, and primal was the name. jap beast wars continue using Convoy (prime) as the title. this calls for a prime/convoy list, i know i will miss some... Vector Prime - probably haveing to do with vector sigma, the first prime (prime prime?) Alpha prime - first matrix bearer, vector? Guardian Prime - second matrix bearer Nova Prime - rumored to turn into leige maximo, aka the first nemesis prime Sentinel Prime - dont know much about him Orion Pax/Optimus Prime/Convoy - get to see an upgrading, main man Star Convoy - prime upgrade Battle Convoy/Laser Prime - prime upgrade Hotrod/Rodimus Prime - first televised matrix passing Fire Convoy - Rid/car robots Optimus prime Omega Prime - prime upgrade Black Convoy/Scourge - not literaly a nemesis prime Convoy/Monster Convoy? - Armada Prime Jet Convoy = upgrade Magna Convoy = upgrade Magna Jet Convoy - double upgrade Grand Convoy = energon Prime Omega Convoy = upgrade Wing Convoy = upgrade Galaxy Convoy = cybertron Prime Liger Convoy = upgrade Sonic Convoy = upgrade Nitro Convoy = velocitrons prime Live Convoy = earth? prime Megalo Convoy = gigantian prime Flame Convoy = animatros prime Optimus Prime/Beast Convoy - BW prime Primal Prime - upgrade + g1 spark LioConvoy = different bw prime Big Convoy - different bw prime Great Convoy - greatest prime g1? Crow Convoy - another bw prime Nemesis Prime - Armada , universe misc. black convoy Reverse Convoy - Megs disguised as a Prime
I think the Japanese names were just kept because neither character has an established English name yet. Leo Prime has been used for someone coloured like Lioconvoy, but there's no reason to assume the two would be the same. Personally, had I to decide on full English names, I'd call them Optimus Leo and either Mammoth Prime or Grand Optimus. Eh, Big Convoy does not translate at all well into an English format. No wonder they stuck with the Japanese names!
Primal Prime is an entirely unique charecter...in a sense an upgrade of the battle suit Quickstrike used to control Optimal Optimus...and I dont really think that the Vok used G1 Primes spark...they used Matrix energy, really giving Primal Prime his own unique spark.
In the context of US continuity, I see Prime as a title being conferred upon worthy bearers of the Matrix of Leadership/Creation Matrix. In the Botcon stories, Primal Prime did bear the original Matrix for a while, and has thusly earned the right to bear the name Prime. I'm guessing that in the IDW BW continuity, by the beast era, "convoy" is maximal created title bestowed upon the more celebrated generals in the Maximal army. Since they never held the Matrix of Leadership, and only hold lesser Matrices, they can't hold the title of Prime.
I perfer Prime, but Convoy sounds good... but at times confusing. One question, has there been an "Optimus Convoy"? That would be awesome.
