The Transformers

The Autobots and Decepticons leave Cybertron in search of energy, crash on Earth and lie dormant for 4 million years. In 1984, Megatron's Decepticons wake up and start draining the planet's energy sources. Optimus Prime's Autobots, helped by Sparkplug Witwicky and his son Spike, try to stop them. Over the season, the Decepticons build a space bridge to ship resources to Cybertron, and in “The Ultimate Doom” they pull the planet itself into Earth's orbit. Computer expert Chip Chase joins the human side. Skyfire, the Dinobots, the Insecticons and the Constructicons, who combine into Devastator, all debut. The season is episodic: every Megatron scheme fails, but the war goes on with no winner, and the season's final showdown puts Optimus and Megatron face to face.

1. Behind the scenesThe voice came from a Marine

   Peter Cullen based the voice on his older brother Larry, a Marine captain and Vietnam veteran. Larry's advice: “Don't be a Hollywood hero, be a real hero.”

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2. Behind the scenesFrank Welker, half the cast

   Frank Welker voiced Megatron, Soundwave, Skywarp, Rumble, Frenzy and Ravage. On the Autobot side, he did Mirage and Trailbreaker.

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3. ReferenceOptimus started as a Japanese truck

   The Optimus toy came from Takara's Diaclone line, where it was Battle Convoy and had a human pilot. Dennis O'Neil came up with the name Optimus Prime for Marvel's comics.

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4. ReferenceThe Dinobots arrive early

   “S.O.S. Dinobots” (S1, ep. 4, not counting the premiere miniseries) introduced the Dinobots on October 27, 1984.

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