Sentinel Prime
Encyclopedia
Sentinel Prime is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...

 series. First mention of Sentinel Prime was in issue #65 of the US Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...

 Transformers series, where he was mentioned to hold the Autobot
Autobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...

 Matrix of Leadership before Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

. Sentinel Prime has since appeared in a variety of forms as either Optimus Prime's mentor or friend. Fun Publications has also had a character in their comic called Sentinel Major, who is based on the Transformers Animated version of Sentinel Prime.

Transformers: Generation 1

Animated series

Sentinel Major was originally one of the Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...

' slave robots on Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...

 around twelve million years ago. Unusual among his consumer goods brethren, Sentinel Major was equipped for combat and was forced to participate in gladiatorial games for the Quintessons' amusement, wielding a spiked ball-and-chain weapon and a tire-shaped shield. He was once defeated in battle by Prima
Prime (Transformers)
Prime is a title in Transformers fiction, the designation given to the leader of the Autobots and bearer of the Autobot Matrix of Leadership. The Japanese equivalent of Prime is Convoy, sometimes explained in Western Transformers folklore as an honorific nickname given to Autobots who possess the...

, who attacked their Quintesson masters when their match was over, only to be destroyed himself.

Subsequently, the consumer goods robots rose up against the Quintessons in a rebellion that ultimately forced the aliens off the planet. Sentinel Major survived this clash, but he and the rest of his race—now dubbed "Autobots"—were robbed of any chance of peace when the military hardware robots, now known as "Decepticon
Decepticon
The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers stoyline and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots and the University of California Davis Aggies...

s", set their sights on conquering Cybertron for themselves. Two Autobot leaders fell during the war that ensued, and Sentinel Major inherited the Matrix of Leadership and became Sentinel Prime, leader of the Autobots. Under his leadership, the Autobots realized that they would never be able to defeat the Decepticons with firepower, and they turned instead to stealth, reconfiguring their bodies to be able to transform into other forms. With the power of his new ability, Sentinel Prime defeated the Decepticons' leader, and the Autobots won the war.

The ensuing period of peace was known as the Golden Age of Cybertron, but, around nine million years BC, the Decepticon threat re-emerged when they too adopted transformation, and coupled it with robot-mode flight powers. One of the first of this new breed of Decepticons, the malevolent Megatron, killed Sentinel Prime in combat. As he died, the Sentinel Prime handed off the Matrix to Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. Alpha Trion is one of the Thirteen Primes, thus all his portrayals are considered to be the same individual. He is generally depicted as an ancient mechanoid with a link to Optimus Prime...

, who kept it safe until the emergence of the next Autobot leader, Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

.

When Rodimus Prime journeyed into the Matrix in 2005, Sentinel Prime was the sixth guide he encountered. Sentinel Prime recounted the development of transformation, the Autobot victory in the war and the rise of Megatron.

Marvel Comics

Sentinel Prime originates from the original Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...

 Transformers series. Sentinel is the immediate predecessor of Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

, and was killed in battle on Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...

. He is glimpsed in issue #150 of the UK comic, passing the Autobot Matrix of Leadership
Autobot Matrix of Leadership
The Matrix of Leadership or Creation Matrix in the fictional Transformers universes is the Autobot talisman of legend, passed down from leader to leader. It consisted of an oval-shaped container, holding a glowing crystal. To open the Matrix is to release an unpredictable wave of power from the...

 on to Optimus Prime. It was not made clear in this continuity who or what caused his death. His appearance resembles Rodimus Prime.

His name is taken from issue U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 #65 (UK #290) in which all the past Matrix holders are listed and he precedes Optimus Prime.

Dreamwave Productions

Sentinel Prime died during the early stages of the civil war on Cybertron, supposedly killed by Megatron in single combat. In this continuity, at the time of his death, Sentinel Prime was not in possession of the Matrix.

The only image of him is a yellow hand as seen in the first issue of Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...

' The War Within. When Megatron later battled Optimus Prime for the first time, he states that Sentinel tried to talk him out of his evil ways.

IDW Publishing

Sentinel Prime receives a bit more history in the IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...

's 4-issue miniseries, The Transformers: Megatron Origin
The Transformers: Megatron Origin
The Transformers: Megatron Origin is a comic book limited series by IDW Publishing exploring the origin of Megatron in its rebooted G1 universe...

. After Megatron's attack on an Autobot
Autobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...

 senator and subsequent escape, current Autobot leader, Sentinel Prime vowed to hunt them down, despite his lack of concern over the senator's fate. Sentinel took a direct interest in the underground bloodsports that Megatron was involved in, determined to shut them down and declared that Megatron "will hang". Megatron's followers were eventually captured by Sentinel's forces and Sentinel taunts Megatron before imprisoning him. However, the apprehension of the Decepticons turned out to be part of Megatron's ruse. Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...

 and Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 killed the Autobot Senate, and a full scale revolution erupted in Kaon. Desperate to stop them, Prime donned Apex armor and confronted Megatron, but was defeated and beaten to within an inch of life by the Decepticon leader. Note: Sentinel's name was initially spelled as Sentinal Prime, later revealed to be a mis-print introduced at the lettering phase.

A glimpse of Sentinel Prime was also seen in The Transformers: Spotlight issue featuring Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

. He is again the Matrix-holder preceding Optimus Prime, and succeeding Nova Prime. In bonus art following the story, Sentinel's alternate mode was revealed as a yellow and orange Cybertronian truck. In Spotlight: Blurr
Blurr
Blurr is the name given to five different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He frequently appears as a blue Autobot who transforms into a swift car...

 (November 2008), it is revealed in between Sentinel and Optimus, there was a Prime named Zeta.

Transformers Animated

In the series Transformers Animated, Sentinel Prime is a hotheaded member of the Cybertron Elite Guard. Sentinel's main weapon is a shield
Shield
A shield is a type of personal armor, meant to intercept attacks, either by stopping projectiles such as arrows or redirecting a hit from a sword, mace or battle axe to the side of the shield-bearer....

 called the Skyboom Shield
Skyboom Shield
-Transformers: Armada:right|thumb|The Road Assault color Skyboom Shield toyFormed from the combination of the Mini-Con Race Team , it is one of three most powerful weapons in the Universe...

, that is able to generate force fields and can be used offensively when thrown. He also wields a laser lance, and can activate a battle mask when needed.

In December 2007, drawings were leaked on the internet of Sentinel Prime's vehicle appearance in the Transformers Animated television series. He turns into a snow plow truck. Derrick Wyatt stated that the character was originally meant to be named Rodimus Prime, after Optimus Prime's G1 Successor. However, the idea of Rodimus being portrayed as arrogant and rude was dropped in favor of Sentinel Prime. An interesting note is that Sentinel's robot mode looks a lot like The Tick
The Tick
The Tick is a fictional character created by cartoonist Ben Edlund in 1986 as a newsletter mascot for the New England Comics chain of Boston area comic stores. He is an absurdist spoof of comic book superheroes. After its creation, the character spun off into an independent comic book series in...

, which was a result of Townsend Coleman
Townsend Coleman
Townsend Coleman is an American voice actor who performed in many animated series and TV commercials beginning in the early 1980s...

 (the voice of the animated Tick) being cast in the role.

Animated series

Once known as Sentinel Minor, he was the drill sergeant training Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...

, Wasp
Waspinator
Waspinator is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes called Wasp. The original Waspinator was voiced by Scott McNeil in the Beast Wars animated series.-Beast Wars:...

, Bulkhead
Bulkhead (Transformers)
Bulkhead is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All incarnations of Bulkhead are Autobots and are green in color. He was introduced in Transformers: Energon as a Mega Vehicle and later redebuted in Transformers: Animated as a completely new character...

, Longarm
Longarm (Transformers)
Longarm is the name to four different fictional characters from the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Cybertron:The name Longarm was reused for a member of the Giant Planet Mini-Con Team allies with the Decepticons. This Longarm also turned into a crane...

 and Ironhide
Ironhide
Ironhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

, who were recruited into the Autobots. When it appeared that Wasp was a secret Decepticon spy Sentinel Prime arrested the innocent Autobot, not realizing it was Longarm who was the traitor. It was also revealed that he didn't like Ultra Magnus because of the recruits he is forced to train and was friends with Cliffjumper.

Sentinel Prime and Optimus Prime have been rivals since they attended the Autobot Academy together with Elita-1 (whom Sentinel had feelings for) as seen in a flashback in "Along Came a Spider." Things changed when Sentinel brought the others to an organic planet to find a lost Decepticon warship, only to be attacked by giant alien spiders that inhabited the planet and the ship exploded during the confrontation. In spite of Sentinel's pleas, Optimus was forced to leave Elita-1 on the notion that she was killed in the explosion, both unaware of her transformation to Blackarachnia. Since then, Sentinel never forgave Optimus for the incident and developed a racial fear of organics, believing that they'd all be the same as those spiders. During the inquiry, in which both he and Optimus were accused of going to an unauthorized organic planet, Optimus took full responsibility as the senior cadet, which led to his expulsion from Autobot Academy and barred from assuming any Elite Guard position. Sentinel on the other hand, who denied being the one who caused the chain of events, wasn't punished for his involvement and later rose to prominence in the Elite Guard.

At the beginning of the series, when Optimus tried to contact Autobot High Command, Sentinel refused to allow him to see Ultra Magnus until Optimus showed him the Allspark.

Sentinel Prime (alongside Ultra Magnus and Jazz
Jazz (Transformers)
Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...

) arrived on Earth to look for the Allspark. He had Prime's crew "decontaminated" from organic infestation. He didn't believe Prime's stories about the Allspark being destroyed or their encounters with Decepticons. He did end up attempting to fend off the Dinobots
Dinobots
Dinobots is the name of several teams of characters in the fictional Transformers Universe. The groups are made up of several robots, each of whose transformed mode is that of a dinosaur or similar prehistoric animal. They are called Dinotrons in the Japanese version; and ' in the Japanese dub of...

 on Dinobot Island when he provoked them. After the incident at one of the factories owned by Isaac Sumdac (in which the fragment of the Allspark was the cause of this), Sentinel Prime threatened to make sure Optimus was charged with treason for destroying the Allspark, however Optimus had grown tired of Sentinel's arrogance and reminded him despite being an Elite Guard washout, he and Sentinel still shared equal rank and told him he was on "his turf now". Ultra Magnus stated to Sentinel Prime that he can learn a lot of things from Optimus Prime, such as loyalty.

In "Return of The Headmaster
Headmaster (Transformers)
Headmasters are a sub-group of characters from the Transformers meta-series, distinguished by their ability to detach their heads when transforming into their alternate modes, with the heads then transforming themselves into a humanoid form...

", Sentinel Prime got a lesson in humility after his body was taken by the Headmaster and he was forced into a partnership with Optimus to get it back.

In order to improve morale, Sentinel tried to force Optimus Prime to declare that they hadn't encountered any Decepticons, but Optimus refused to do so. Sentinel then tried to bribe him with re-entry into the Elite Guard; when he didn't comply, he placed Optimus into custody. Sentinel later refused to believe that Ultra Magnus and Jazz were walking into a Decepticon trap, so Optimus tricked him into a pair of stasis cuffs in order to save the day. Sentinel soon learned Prime was telling the truth when Starscream fell from the sky. It was shown that he choked up under pressure and fear at the sight of a Decepticon.

He appeared again chasing Wasp in space, even though it seems that he may have forgotten all about Wasp. It is also shown that since he can still use his Cybertronian vehicle mode while chasing Wasp. Unfortunately, he let Wasp get away when he fell off the suddenly activated Space Bridge
Space Bridge
In Marvel Comics' Transformers comic and cartoon, the Space Bridge is a device used by the Decepticons to travel between different planets, usually between Cybertron and Earth.-Generation One:...

.

Later, during the episode "Where Is Thy Sting?" he had Jetfire
Jetfire
Jetfire is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. He is nearly always depicted as an Autobot with jet or space shuttle alternate mode.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 and Jetstorm
Jetstorm
Jetstorm is the name of several characters in the fictional Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 2 :The name Jetstorm was first used in the Transformers toyline on two different toys released on two different continents; however both characters were Aquaspeeders - toys that could shoot...

 following his orders to find Wasp. His dislike for the planet Earth and organics increases, as he finds himself unable to adapt to driving in the rain. He kept ignoring Optimus when he said that Longarm was the real traitor until Wasp confessed that he and Bumblebee switched appearances.

In "Five Servos of Doom" he had seemingly captured Sunstorm
Sunstorm (Transformers)
Sunstorm is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. Sunstorm is always a Decepticon allied jet who is yellow or orange in color.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

, Blitzwing
Blitzwing
Blitzwing is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. He is always depicted as a Decepticon with two alternate forms, that of a jet and that of a tank...

, Lugnut, and Swindle
Swindle (Transformers)
Swindle is the name given to several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Swindle originally appeared as a member of a group of five Decepticons known as the Combaticons who were able to combine together to form a larger robot known as Bruticus...

 (though he admitted that since Swindle was trapped in vehicle mode he simply had to pay a fine and have him towed) by himself. Optimus, Jazz, and Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...

 were extremely doubtful that he could have accomplished such feats, and set out to find how he did it. After following Sentinel Prime it was revealed that it was Lockdown
Lockdown (Transformers)
Lockdown is the name of multiple fictional characters in the various Transformers universes; all of which are Decepticons who transform into muscle cars.-Transformers Animated:...

 who was capturing the Decpticons and trading them to Sentinel for Autobot upgrades. After being betrayed by Lockdown, who was working for Ramjet
Ramjet (Transformers)
Ramjet is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All have been Decepticon aligned characters who turn into jets, usually white.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

, Sentinel ended up becoming the Clone's hostage and shield, taking most of the Autobots attacks on himself and ending up face-first in the ground. Optimus covered for Sentinel when reporting to Cybertron, giving credit for the captures to Prowl, but he assured Sentinel that they would "talk it out" when the crisis was over.

In "Predacons Rising" Bumblebee, Jetfire, Jetstorm, Optimus Prime and Sentinel Prime chased Wasp, but lost him to Swoop while bickering about what to do with him. Following Swoop to Dinobot Island, Sentinel encountered Blackarachnia, learning the truth about what happened to her as Elita-1. Disgusted by what had happened to her, Sentinel refused to accept her as the Elita he knew and attempts to kill her before Wasp (newly changed into Waspinator) intervened. After Blackarachnia sacrificed herself to save the Autobots from a transwarp energy-overloaded Waspinator, Sentinel expressed regret for what had happened to her, even taking blame for what had happened that day, and burying the hatchet with Optimus. Sentinel and the Elite Guard returned to Cybertron soon after, with Sentinel having to take command in the wake of Shockwave's
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...

 attack on Ultra Magnus.

In "Decepticon Air" Sentinel interrogated the captive Decepticons for information concerning the recent Space Bridge attacks. Sentinel's ego and recent rise in ranks gets the better of him. In order to get back to Cybertron quickly so he can take over as the new Magnus, he ordered Jazz to take the ship through an ion storm. The resulting energy discharges free Swindle from his locked vehicle mode, which allowed the other Decepticons to take over the ship. Sentinel was forced to call for help, specifically for Optimus with a secret Academy code. The Decepticons were defeated and recaptured, though Swindle and Lugnut escaped. In gratitude, Sentinel offered Optimus the Eite Guard position he would have to vacate in order to become Magnus, but Optimus declined his offer, stating that there was still work to do on Earth. So he drops him off back to Earth, salutes to him then departs. On his return to Cybertron, Sentinel paraded the remaining Decepticons in front of the citizens before assuming command as the new Magnus.

In "This is Why I Hate Machines", Sentinel had apparently spread his hatred and fear of organics to all of Cybertron, as when Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...

 and police captain Fanzone arrive, nearly every Autobot who sees Fanzone is terrified. When Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. He is always an Autobot and is often depicted as a gigantic transformer with vast strength and/or overwhelming firepower.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 (piloted by Megatron, Starscream and Lugnut) transwarped to Cybertron, Sentinel ordered a full-scale assault on the colossus, only for the Autobot Council to deliberate whether to strike and possibly destroy Cybertron with it (as Ratchet had pointed out) or possibly miss a chance to end the Decepticon threat. Sentinel ignored the council's wishes to wait and prepared for a strike, claiming that as acting Magnus, he had to be prepared. However, he is chastised by Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. Alpha Trion is one of the Thirteen Primes, thus all his portrayals are considered to be the same individual. He is generally depicted as an ancient mechanoid with a link to Optimus Prime...

 and Perceptor
Perceptor
Perceptor is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Perceptor transforms into a microscope ....

 when his attack missed Omega, who had transwarped elsewhere. When Ratchet and Fanzone returned to Earth with the Magnus hammer, Jazz pretended to give pursuit, but instead chose to stay with the Earth team as Sentinel's bureaucracy had finally gone too far for him.

He was last seen in the third season finale, "Endgame, Part II", looking on at Optimus, Sari
Sari Sumdac
Sari Sumdac is a fictional character in the Transformers Animated cartoon series.-Transformers Animated:The eight-year old adopted daughter of Dr. Isaac Sumdac, Sari lived a sheltered life until she befriends the Autobots after they saved her upon their reawakening.She is the primary source of...

, the Autobots, Omega Supreme, the captured Megatron, Shockwave, and Lugnut, and Arcee
Arcee
Arcee is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. She is a female Autobot, usually pink in color. Being the most famous of the Female Transformers, she has two primary forms...

 with a jealous expression on his face.

IDW Publishing

Sentinel Prime appeared in the IDW Publishing Transformers Animated comic series.

Other media

Sentinel Prime appears among the characters in Re-Unification, the 2010 TFCon voice actor play prelude comic.

Toys

  • Animated Deluxe Sentinel Prime (2008)
A Deluxe class figure that transforms from snow plow truck to robot. Includes Energy Shield and Lance.

  • Animated TA-28 Deluxe Autobot Sentinel (Takara Tomy) (2010)
The Japan release version by Takara Tomy
Takara Tomy
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies:  Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...

 features silver wheels and a metallic finish on the truck body and snowplow. Released in Japan on July 2010.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

In the Transformers
Transformers (film series)
Transformers is an American film franchise directed by Michael Bay, and based on the toys created by Hasbro and Takara Tomy. The first film, Transformers, was released in 2007, the second film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, in 2009, and the third film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 2011...

 film series, Sentinel Prime is a legendary warrior thought to have been lost long ago. He once led an expedition that took him fourteen galactic convergences to get an echo of something. Sentinel Prime is Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

's direct predecessor, mentor, and father figure. Sentinel's weapons include a shield, cosmic rust gun and a double-bladed sword that can be folded into one. His intention to restore Cybertron to its former glory after the war drove him mad and going against his ideals by siding with the Decepticons. Sentinel Prime is voiced by Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....

, who previously did the voice of Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...

 in The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986 and in the UK on December 5, 1986....

.

Development

Film concept art of Sentinel Prime by artist Josh Nizzi named the character who would become Sentinel Prime as "Ultra Magnus". He looks interestingly similar to Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion
Alpha Trion is a fictional character in the various Transformers universes. Alpha Trion is one of the Thirteen Primes, thus all his portrayals are considered to be the same individual. He is generally depicted as an ancient mechanoid with a link to Optimus Prime...

.

Movie plot

In the second film of the series, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a 2009 American science fiction-action film directed by Michael Bay and produced by Steven Spielberg. It is the sequel to the 2007 film Transformers and the second installment in the live-action Transformers series...

, Sentinel Prime is briefly mentioned in the rambling speech given by Sam Witwicky while under an All Spark fragment-induced trance, with Sam mentioning a "mission" Sentinel led.

Sentinel Prime appears in the third film, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, as the main antagonist
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...

, revealed as a rogue Autobot later in the film. Though it was believed that the Space Bridge technology he devised was to turn the tide of the war for the Autobot's benefit, Sentinel Prime made a deal with Megatron to rebuild Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...

 by finding an inhabitable world and to enslave its occupants. However, the Ark
Ark
Ark is a Latin-based word that means a "box" or container. Ark may refer to:-Religion:* Ark , a cabinet used to store a synagogue's Torah scroll* Ark of the Covenant, the consecrated container for the tablets of the Ten Commandments...

, Sentinel's ship, was hit during the war between the Autobots and Decepticons and it drifted through space until it eventually crashed on Earth's moon in 1961. Before the impact, Sentinel hid himself in the crash vault with five of his Space Bridge pillars, including the control pillar, however he soon ran out of Energon and became incapacitated. His body was then recovered by Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

 and Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...

 when the two Autobots come investigating the crash landed ship and was brought to Earth, where he was resurrected with the power of the Matrix of Leadership. Sentinel was distressed that hundreds of his pillars were missing, and warned Charlotte Mearing that the Decepticons could destroy Earth with the pillars. He later went out with Optimus to attend a tour of the Earth and admire its sunset, and declined Optimus' offering of the Matrix, due to the fact that he doesn't know much about the Earth.

Eventually, Sam Witwicky discovered the Decepticons had the pillars and had planned for the Autobots to revive Sentinel as he was the only one who could use the Space Bridge. Once he arrived back at their base, Sentinel confirms of Sam's suspicions of the Decepticons' plans, but then betrays the Autobots by revealing his affiliation with Megatron, and kills Ironhide
Ironhide
Ironhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 with his cosmic rust blaster. He destroys much of the NEST headquarters before bringing the pillars to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

 and transporting hundreds of Decepticons that were concealed on the moon. Though Optimus tries to stop him from opening the space bridge, Sentinel compromises him, but lets him live in hope that Optimus would come to accept and realize the moral of what he was doing. He then orders the world to exile the Autobots, just to let them get killed by Starscream
Starscream
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...

 in their space ship, though the Autobots didn't actually board the ship. Soon after believing that the Autobots are gone, Sentinel Prime takes command over the Decepticons, betraying and pushing Megatron away by demoralizing him in the process, and oversees the final phase of the plan in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...

.

During the final battle, once most of the Decepticons have been defeated by the Autobots, Sentinel battles Optimus, who has returned with the Autobots. Being more powerful and a more skillful warrior than Optimus and all the other autobots, Sentinel is able to more than hold his own against Optimus, Ratchet, Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and several human soldiers all at once. It is only when he is hit by several heavy-duty weapons and missiles from humans does he finally try to retreat, but is quickly re-engaged by Optimus. He is able to gain the upperhand, disarming Optimus of his weapons, then quite literally by severing Optimus' right arm. During the battle, Sentinel berates Optimus, blaming him for Cybertron's predicament, declaring that Optimus could never make the hard decisions necessary for victory. He then declares Cybertron for him to rule alone, preparing to strike the final blow to kill Optimus, but Megatron intervenes and angrily assaults Sentinel as revenge for taking command of the Decepticons, after being convinced by Carly Spencer, thus saving Optimus' life.

After Megatron throws a critically wounded Sentinel to his knees, he proposes a truce with Optimus, but the latter, knowing what Megatron has in mind, refuses and instead kills him. After Megatron's death, Sentinel seemed to realize how far he had truly fallen, and pleads to Optimus to understand why he had to betray him and pleads for his life, but Optimus states that he had only betrayed himself, of his previous ideals of freedom. Without hesitation, Optimus takes Megatron's cannon and shoots Sentinel in the back and head, executing him. Optimus threw away Megatron's shotgun in disgust, and swore he would never forsake his new home of Earth.

Design

Animator Scott Benza said Sentinel Prime had a face "more human-like than any of the other robots" in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, having a more complex frame and "a greater number of plates" so it could be more expressive. The film's main visual effects
Visual effects
Visual effects are the various processes by which imagery is created and/or manipulated outside the context of a live action shoot. Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or...

 company, Industrial Light & Magic, based most of Sentinel Prime's features on actor Sean Connery
Sean Connery
Sir Thomas Sean Connery , better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards and three Golden Globes Sir Thomas Sean Connery (born 25 August 1930), better known as Sean Connery, is a Scottish actor and producer who has won an Academy...

, and after Leonard Nimoy was cast to voice the role, the effects were altered to incorporate Nimoy's acting as well.

Video games

Sentinel Prime is among the characters who appear in the flash game TRANSFORMERS CYBERVERSE Battle Builder Game.

Toys

All toys of this character (except the Kre-O kit) are officially licensed from Rosenbauer
Rosenbauer
The Rosenbauer Group is one of the world’s three largest manufacturers of fire-service vehicles, based in Leonding, Austria.Rosenbauer supplies the fire fighting sector in over 100 countries with a wide range of custom fire and rescue apparatus and services...

.
  • Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Commander Sentinel Prime (2011)
A new Commander (formerly Scout Class) mold of Sentinel Prime.

  • Dark of the Moon Cyberverse Commander Dark Sentinel Prime (not yet released)
A redeco of the Commander Class figure.

  • Dark of the Moon Leader Class Sentinel Prime (2011)
A new Leader mold of Sentinel Prime, which transforms into a Rosenbauer Panther Airport crash tender
Airport Crash Tender
An airport crash tender is a specialised fire engine designed for use at aerodromes and airports in aircraft accidents.Airport Crash Tenders are extremely powerful machines...

 fire truck. His Mech Tech weaponry consists of a lance and a shield that transforms into a bladed blaster. The figure also features light and sound effects; some of which are triggered when his Mech Tech weapon or those from other figures are placed on the ports on the roof in vehicle mode. In robot mode, his eyes light up and he says, "I am Sentinel Prime!" when his chest is pressed downward. Also says "What has happened to the AllSpark?" and "Good to see you alive, Optimus".

  • Dark of the Moon Voyager Class Sentinel Prime (2011)
A new Voyager mold of Sentinel Prime. His Mech Tech weapon is a ladder/hose attachment that converts into a fusion cannon. Unlike the Leader Class figure, this figure has the Autobot symbols on truck mode scratched off - indicating his ulterior role in the film.

  • Transformers Kre-O
    Kre-O
    Not to be consfused with KREO.KRE-O is a line of construction toys manufactured by Hasbro. Kre-O has been announced to release in stores in Fall 2011, although Hasbro started shipping out the first Transformers sets in early June 2011...

     Sentinel Prime (2011)
A Lego
Lego
Lego is a line of construction toys manufactured by the Lego Group, a privately held company based in Billund, Denmark. The company's flagship product, Lego, consists of colorful interlocking plastic bricks and an accompanying array of gears, minifigures and various other parts...

-like building block kit of Sentinel with 375 pieces to assemble in either fire truck or robot mode. Comes with 2-inch Kreon figures of Sentinel Prime, Soundwave
Soundwave (Transformers)
Soundwave is the name of several characters in the various series Transformers series. His most famous disguise is that of a microcassette recorder and has an iconic voice done by a vocoder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

, Thundercracker
Thundercracker
Thundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...

 and two human drivers.

Transformers: Prime

Sentinel Zeta Prime is the predecessor of Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime
Optimus Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. Prime is the leader of the autobots, a faction of transforming robots from the planet Cybertron. The autobots are constantly waging war against a rival faction of transforming robots called Decepticons...

.

Books

Sentinel Prime has been mentioned in Transformers: Exodus. He has been attacked at the Altihex Casino with other Autobots. After the battle at the casino, Sentinel Prime went missing. Starscream has taken him to a prison and told him to destroy Megatron. At a dark alley, Sentinel Prime has met Megatron there and Megatron had some other Decepticon Gladiators. Bore the sigil of the noble myth of Vector Prime
Vector Prime (Transformers)
Vector Prime is a fictional character from the Transformers: Cybertron toyline, animated series and comics. In fiction he is an ancient Autobot, one of the first ever created, with powers over time and space, and turns into a spaceship...

. Sentinel Prime was defeated and Megatron retrieved the Code Key of Power.

Video games

Zeta Prime from Transformers: War for Cybertron
Transformers: War for Cybertron
Transformers: War for Cybertron is a third-person shooter video game developed by High Moon Studios and published by Activision. It was released in North America on June 22, 2010 and in PAL regions on June 25, 2010 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. Two portable versions were released for the...

 has similarities towards G1 Sentinel Prime. He dies before Optimus becomes the new leader of the Autobots.

Transformers: Timelines (2011)

The character of Sentinel Major is based on the Transformers Animated Sentinel Prime, but appearing in the Generation 1 setting.

Fun Publications

The Elite Guard Alpha Team and Strike Team did battle against a horde of ferrovorous bugs in one of Cybertron's city-states. Magnum then ordered the Strike Team to escort the Alpha Team to Space Port Bravo for their next mission. The Strike Team then reported to Magnum and Sentinel Major, who introduced them to the new Elite Guard Special-Ops Team, also called the Combaticons.

Metalhawk and his Strike Team were searching for Decepticons when they ran into a crazy "empty" who ranted about the coming of the "brute". They received a distress signal from Sentinel Major ordering all Elite Guard units to return base. When Metalhawk's team arrived at the base Ricochet told them of a Decepticon attack. Among the attackers are the Combaticions, but when Sentinel Major orders them to surrender, they combine into Bruticus and crush Sentinel Major.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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