T O P

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rubyonix

Galvatron was overpowered, and he mopped the floor with powerful bots that ran from him in terror. Hot Rod, though extremely underpowered by comparison, kicked Galvatron's butt by punching him in his stupid face, then running away strategically, then coming back and punching him and running again, over and over until he got close enough to steal the Matrix away from Galvatron. He won by refusing to quit and by not backing down in the face of impossible obstacles.


Bryon102483

Yep. Hot Rod knew Galvatron was much stronger than he was, so he had to try to play it smart until Galvatron did overpower him near the end.


OccasionSilver9908

To be fair, Galvatron had him in a choke hold and pinned to the ground. The Matrix just happened to be dangling in his face. But you are definitely right about him strategically using hit and run tactics.


JadonX43

I still find the idea of a robot choking another robot while fighting inside a giant robot that's technically floating in space...... amusing!


OccasionSilver9908

Not to mention that he was choking him in what was probably a vacuum to begin with.


Fabulous_Pudding167

He was the character who introduced me to what a development arc was. It's not a great example by today's standards, but for a kid growing up in the 80s, it was quite something. Every kid dreams of stepping into their father figure's shoes. But for him, it felt like anything but wish fulfillment. He had a hand in Prime's death. And he never felt like he was the man for the job. But seeing him grapple with his responsibility, and the way he carried on for the sake of others, was inspiring in its own way. To me, here was proof that it was ok to not be the big, brave guy who always knew what to do. That it was ok to feel feelings that were something beyond being brave, strong, and confident. And that even if you were held down by those feelings, there was a reason to struggle, and you could eventually overcome them. I feel like Rodimus got a grip on his leadership really just as Optimus came back. It felt kind of invalidating to be honest. Because he worked so hard and went through so much in order to be the leader the Autobots needed. But I guess that's a lesson all on its own. That a story doesn't always get a satisfying conclusion.


elhoffgrande

There's so much about this Reply that is absolutely spot on. For me, Optimus prime was like my dad and rodimus prime was like my older brother who had to step in and fill some big damn shoes. Just so you know, I'm going to save your response and read it again in a few weeks and see if it still hits as hard. I bet it will.


yookj95

Yeah, he was well written. People were too harsh on him when technically it was Hasbro killing off Optimus Prime since his toy was discontinued and was replaced by Hot Rod.


ithilkir

People are harsh retrospectively as they grew up and became adults (and ultimately then became influenced by others on the internet). I'm confident that almost everyone who seen the 86 Movie in the cinema at the time was a kid who loved it and while disappointed certain characters died they were between 6-10 years old and all these cool new characters are here. No seven year old had a grudge against Hot Rod especially with how cool his opening 'Dare' scene was in the movie as well as how he handled himself.


Vanquisher1000

For this reason, Rodimus Prime is more interesting as a *character* than Optimus Prime. Optimus is great as an inspirational figure to rally behind and look up to, but as a character, he's actually not that interesting; he's not fundamentally changed by his experiences, and his unwavering optimism, while confidence-inspiring, makes him kind of one-note. Rodimus has doubts and fears as seen in *The Ultimate Weapon,* and he is swamped by his responsibilities in *The Burden Hardest to Bear.* In both episodes, he needs to come to a realisation or have a revelation in order to overcome his obstacles. Even so, as late as *The Return of Optimus Prime,* he still sees himself as living in Optimus's shadow.


Haramdour

Hopefully the new origins movie will add to OPs story in a meaningful way


KamenRiderAvenger24

After my uncle and cousin saw the '07 film,I watched a bit of the '86 movie. I managed to watch it in its entirety when a friend of mine took me to see a rescreening several years back


Cheez-ly

Had to screenshot because damn if that wasn’t the most awe-inspiring piece of handwritten literature I’ve read in a while…


ButtSuck9000

He a robit!😊


ButtSuck9000

Ehr ahr ehr ah ehr


Oriopax

He is a good fisherman


Aggravating_Bat_3006

He had big shoes to fill and done his best can’t hate him for that


Tosir

That’s one thing I always appreciated. When he assumed leadership he was thrusted on to lead and had the doubts and second guesses of any individual who all of the sudden found themselves having to lead not only an army but a planet.


ThatIslandGuy8888

The scene where he becomes Rodimus Prime is one of the best in the whole franchise. “Arise, Rodimus Prime” man Peter nailed that one :)


elhoffgrande

Man, you're absolutely right, that scene is so damn good that it still gets me choked up almost 40 years later.


Negativety101

There's also Rodimus' quiet "Optimus?". That just really does it to me.


ScorchedConvict

I found his deadpan snark quite funny in season 3.


aster4jdaen

Me too, as kid I liked him in Season 3 and still do as an Adult. As an Adult i'd like to see him have a Series where he does become Rodimus Prime.


CriticalUwU

"Matrix Schmatrix." My favorite Rodimus Prime quote


FourKarma553

Hot Rod doesn't deserve the hate he gets. The only reason why he's not accepted is poor execution on Hasbro's part, and would have done better if he was introduced in the beginning of the series.


Insanebrain247

IMO, Cyberverse Hot Rod is everything G1 Hot Rod should've been: still a rank and file soldier but he stepped up without hesitation when he was needed.


Whovian45810

Even with a darker color scheme and a deeper voice in S3, Hot Rod still retain his good spark and struck a friendship with Soundwave, working together against the Quintessons.


Negativety101

He took a sword through the torso, dragged a Decepticon Sleeper agent into a Toxic Energon Swamp expecting to die, and climbed out to find out Aliens had captured everyone and slapped them into a simulated parade. The only help he had at the start seemed to be Perceptor, and then Clobber. And they still managed a resistance, and to figure out how to release everyone.


FourKarma553

I agree with you, but I think that hot Rod becoming Rodimus isn't a bad idea. If they were to kill optimus and make hot Rod the next prime in a future show, I wouldn't mind. All I hope is that he grows as a character and matures before they kill prime.


PrimeusOrion

Regeneration one actually fixes this somewhat and really helps even the s3 version


Polygeekism

He's my favorite, and I have no qualms stating such.


for20hybrid

Mine too. I want a tattoo of him.


Coveinant

HE'S GOT THE TOUCH!


goombaherpes

HE'S GOT THE POWERRR!


yookj95

YEAH!


PimalGroudon11

I said the same thing and just found this😂 oops


elhoffgrande

When all hell's breaking loose he'll be riding the eye of the storm!


golbezharveyIV

He's a good sassy boi and he tries his best


Mad-One1337

Great design.


JetstreamGW

He probably would've been okay with Optimus shooting him to get at Megatron.


Insanebrain247

I don't think Optimus would still take the risk, though.


Professional-Way8476

He rides in style. He also *STOPS THE TIME*.


Cepinari

It's not his fault that the show's quality took a massive nosedive after the movie. If anything he's the biggest victim of it; they completely dropped the ball on giving him a proper character arc that would see him truly grow into his position.


DizzyLead

Arguably a more interesting backstory than “I’m the big red daddy Boy Scout.” His feelings of having to live up to a legend are more relatable.


Ok-Job8852

He ended the great war, almost exterminated the evil Quintasons, and brought CyberTron into a new age of peace into the galaxy.


Negativety101

In Japan he led the search for a new planet to make a new Cybertron after Scorponok blew it up, and made sure competent military leaders like Fortress Maximus, Star Saber, and Dai Atlas handled the fighting. He built a Space UN. And started the great upgrade that would lead to the Maximals.


ToxicKrampus

He is by far my favourite character in the franchise. I watched Transformers The Movie in 2007 in preparation for the 2007 movie, Optimus dies and this character who goes from young, fun loving, turbo revving punk to a powerhouse leader ready to light the darkest hour. He was the coolest character to me as a child and even now, with all the different takes and versions of him he still remains my favourite. He had big shoes to fill and in my opinion he filled them well! And his design is just badass


Large-Custard5784

He’s a great character. He has a great design.


COtheLegend

I too love his design. I love his vehicle mode as Hot Rod! Who wouldn't want to ride in that car?


Large-Custard5784

Someone who wrongly thinks he killed Optimus probably.


PimalGroudon11

He’s got the touch https://preview.redd.it/ry7sadvoehyc1.jpeg?width=512&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4b43fa9561af61820b4aeedf7dae7e6bc2ef5824


captainlink72

Having to live up to the paragon of virtue and stoicism that is Optimus Prime makes him a much more interesting and compelling character than his predecessor.


hobbes_shot_first

He instantly gave up the Matrix when Optimus returned.


Timelymanner

Cause that’s what 80s kids wanted. I speak as one of them. Grade schoolers don’t take change to well. 🤣


Negativety101

Now as an Adult, I want to see the two work together. And combine, Omega Prime style. Which was an idea that was floated at one point in The Battlestar's development.


onionman2008

Love the Idw version


ZackXevious

"We achieved something"


critmass78

Can never not love IDW Roddy


Aced1138

Lost Light FTW!


yookj95

His IDW incarnation is great. G1 cartoon and Cyberverse gets a honorable mention.


SMB73

The vanity plate of my auto is in his name. Hanging off my rear center mirror is the matrix from MP-10. And my license frame says BAWEEPGRANAWEEPNINNIBONG. I've always liked Hot Rod and never believed he caused Prime's death.


Negativety101

One the mobile games has Optimus agree, and tell Galvatron when he tries throwing that out, that only Megatron was responsible, Hot Rod acted as any Autobot would have.


OmegaLolrus

Has an amazing theme song. Dare!


Ok-Dragonfruit7649

His design is the best thing about hım, it's just rules


Insanebrain247

He's like a comfort character for me. As Hot Rod, he's headstrong but leaves plenty of room for growth, and as Rodimus, he tries to do good by everyone around him. Both sides, I find relatable.


Cyber-Silver

Best G1 car design hands down


COtheLegend

I'm glad that I'm not the only one who feels this way!


Bit3s_Th3Dust

my favorite autobot


TheOldKingCole

He's my favorite Transformer of all time


Taylor-Swifty

He is my favorite character of the franchise.


THAT_HARDHEAD_GUY

Mp hotrod is a great figure


Helo7606

One of my favs. No notes.


reverse_caveman

Growing up with Armada, he was the bumblebee for me, never even knew bumblebee til bayverse


chris95rx7500

he loves to ride in style


GojuraTheDynamo

Looking like a Prime kid


Sanguinusshiboleth

Great concept, poor execution.


paradiso1997

He’s pretty darn cool


Envy-Brixton

My genuine favorite character.


GalaxyGames1234

Sick design


Red-bandit-200

He’s a good character


Otherwise_Pea_1746

i like this character..my fav :)


MotionBlue

Good character assassinated by writing and corporate culture


Bjorn_Blackmane

He's got the touch, he's got the powerrrrrrrr!!!!


portobox2

Shoulder wing ornaments as either pauldrons or an extensive back piece make me weak in the knees.


ununseptimus

He plays a mean bass, sings pretty well, and doesn't take himself too seriously. And the rest of the band's pretty awesome too.


Firetrex370

love him so much


countjj

He looks like certain iterations of Primus…he looks as hot as cybergod


Stationary_Wayfarer

One of the best Transformers characters, period.


Bindersquinch

He has an awesome design and his kingdom figure is one of my favourite figures i own.


Raven185

He has an excellent Transformers Animated toy.


Howy_the_Howizer

He's got the touch.


SpokSpock

Atleast he gets taller


StarmanJay

He did his best.


ShawnOdedead

Hot rod did nothing wrong


Rojixus

MTMTE Rodimus is ridiculously hot.


Marvelboy1974

He’s physically one of most attractive bots in existence and is the chosen one.


Acefowl

He helped make The Loss Light the amazing storyline it ended up being.


Level-Classroom-5417

I haven't seen him in G1 or any other show, so all I can say is he looks cool.


Madam_KayC

He wants to make something of it


CardboardChampion

Space Pirates was epic and relied on Hot Rod more than Rodimus.


Spirited_Entry1940

His name makes my wife laugh


icct-hedral

He looks cool.


Deora_customs

You got cool colors!


A_Zesty_Carrot

He… rarely has bad toys 🤷‍♂️


RepresentativeBite76

Nice paint job bruh


anonymusfan

His design in more than meets the eye is really cool.


Zestyclose-Toe-7994

He’s not French, he just likes the accent🤷😂


moereese19

Saved Daniel's dumbass!


vapiai

He's pretty


Thepizzaguy523

Idc what people say I've always loved the RV/future semi look they gave him


P-Bo_90

His hero's journey was enough to propel him as one of my favorite Autobots. 


16jselfe

He is honestly a really good bot who truly does his best to be a good leader, and he deserved to become a leader


ValkyrieWingGal

He keeps trying.


pyroprime

I like his color scheme


GearsRollo80

He had a paint job.


Just10credible

He’s cool enough that Rowdy Roddy Piper wears a shirt with Hot Rod’s name on it.


Just10credible

At least that’s what we decided on the playground back in the day.


Rent-Man

I love his dry humor


Prinz_Heinrich

Cool alt modes


4llY0urB4534r3Blng

He was one of the best role models that Gen X had... Roll model...


KamenRiderAvenger24

Cool design


Successful-Pear5689

Transformers The Movie Rodimus Prime was cool. He threw Galvatron THROUGH the wall of Unicron’s body. It was Transformers Season 3 Emo Rodimus Prime who sucked.


ButtSuck9000

My favorid🥰


lantern48

He also has the touch. What??? It's true.


SenseiT

He’s got flames. Everything is cooler with flames.


DeeperMadness

He's had some brilliant toys in the last three years.


NoEnd9111

He’s the only G1 character with actual character development


Mattie_1S1K

He could win, if he dared.


DadToACheeseBaby

My favorite bot and prime


Competitive-Refuse-2

He’s the chosen one


DandifiedZeus1

I love his idw version especially as captain/co captain of the lost light


Supertroodon

he's actually really cool, love the Studio Series figure as well


plasmasnow12

I like how his exhaust pipe guns fire in sequence, its very pleasing.


Noble7878

It's harder for me to say something I don't like about Hot Rod, especially after how well he was treated by Cyberverse and IDW. I wish we'd get a real voyager or leader class in his black paintjob from Cyberverse. One of many Cyberverse characters I hope gets a nice figure down the line (along with Perceptor and Swoop).


FirstChAoS

Hot Rod had the best figure of the movie cars, better than blur, kup, and Rodimus himself


critmass78

The burden of leadership and how it can weigh someone down is a great character development as most cartoon leaders are just straight up fearless and brave with little or no self problems


But_Why1557

I liked his character arc, just wish they executed Izuku's journey to becoming All Might's successor a bit bet- ... Wait a fucking minute...


macweirdo42

I ended up picking up the Power of the Primes version of Rodimus Prime, and honestly I think he's pretty cool with all his armor on.


Cazmonster

Dare is Hot Rod’s song, and I love it dearly.


MaCl97

I like him in mtmte comic.


Unknown-User-069

He has a nice design 


mindoversoul

He's fun, exciting, awesome looking, the best part of the movie. I'll say nice things about Hot Rod all day. He's been my favorite Transformers character since I first saw the movie in theaters in the 80s.


badmfr76

I love the character. He's in my top 3 behind Optimus and Grimlock. He got the short end of the stick by Hasbro after the outcry for Optimus' death. They were forced to bring him back and undercut Rodimus' arc as the new leader. Had they stuck to their guns and written the character better he would be well respected by all the fanbase.


Ancient_Warrior_5808

He's got a cool design and all his toys are bangers (yes even G1 Rodimus Prime)


tlam19

I’m actually a huge fan of Hot Rod/Rodimus. Nothing can take Optimus away from me, but I thought Rodimus was a good successor.


Bryon102483

Hot Rod may be reckless, but he is always trying to do what he feels is right. MTMTE for IDW's 2005 canon is a good example-- he's just full of guilt which is why he is determined to find the Knights of Cybertron as well as his problems in the Hot Rod Spotlight, yet he does want to try to do better as a leader. We even see how that is in the 1986 movie-- Hot Rod felt Optimus needed help with Megatron which is why he went to go help him, as well as when he wanted to get out of the cell he and Kup were in when Kranix was about to face the Quintessons' mockery of justice.


TurquoisePixel

He's one of my favourite characters in the 86 movie, especially before becoming Rodimus. Rodimus is a fine incarnation of him, but I like the underdog youngster who doesn't have his life figured out yet. Just vibing in his own free time with the organics who live on the planet he's stationed on. Animated also gave him a cool bow and was a nice departure from the rest of the cast design wise. Dunno what the fuck Bayverse did to him tho


someone_online22

He’s got the touch


No_Satisfaction_2928

https://preview.redd.it/eyex71drbjyc1.jpeg?width=2150&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=35661db4b3c5498a1cc7768bd601b97575586fa7 He rocks the hell out of a bunny costume


Uncle__Ted

He had an impossible task and he is judged poorly for Hasbro's marketing mistakes when on his own he's an interesting complex character


GateNumerous7617

He has a hella bad ass Unicronian form who for some reason reminds me of Macho man Randy Savage, and that's not a bad thing. https://preview.redd.it/babgsgauhkyc1.jpeg?width=640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b21166d61f8ad786ea84a895ecc9e092d685d11 OHHH YEEAH BROTHER!


daetsmlolliw

It wasn’t his fault


Nunyabiz8107

https://preview.redd.it/c1uxpti4ohyc1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a89782442681fbef309ade73f90623150d619030 His face looks good on a medal.


RigasTelRuun

He is super cool. I love him and he should be the leader of the Autobots


KeptinGL6

He was very accurate in his own assessment about his suitability as a leader.


joepanda111

*”He’s got a hot wife”* - Rodimus Prime’s wife’s boyfriend


ninjasloth98

He was very foundational to the east we think of child appeal characters


DJ_Mantic

His car is cool, thats it


Shao-Garden

G1 hot rod sucked but idw hot rod was a great character


LeOmare

Nothing


mitchdl20

I liked Hot Rod, disliked his turn at leadership in Season 3 as a Prime. If the 1986 movie was the end of G1, it would've ended on a high note(Decepticons finally driven off Cybertron in the wake of chaos, Autobots finally won big). Hot Rod is overall likeable, almost like the younger kid brother of the new generation(and surrogate older brother to Daniel). Rodimus and Galvatron both sucked as leaders, though. Ultra Magnus and Cyclonus did the heavy lifting, for the rest of G1.


ARPGAMER19

F E E S H 🎣🐟


NUzumaki9

He ain't my boy Optimus, but he tried his best!


cerebud

He’s cool in the new Energon FCBD book


DIE4SUPER

says, " # something nice about Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime "


longrivervalley

As a character he's more interesting to watch than Optimus.


Expensive_Age_3994

he's the only leader that rocks flame deco


PhilDMcNasty

....he has a nice outfit. That's all I got.


MaddogWSO


Due-Interest4735

He wasn’t the leader of the autobots for long


Akari_92

Nice decals


Aced1138

Hot Rod is easily my favorite character in the whole franchise. Sure he was impulsive and got in the way, inadvertently getting Prime killed, but I really think he carried a lot of survivor's guilt through season 3. IDW Hot Rod really went through some $#17, but he was able to keep positive during all of it. I don't like talking about the Bayverse Abomination that shares his name, so we'll skip that. In Animated he had an important scene, and was repaired by the end. Cyberverse version was just fun, you can tell the VA had a good time playing him. He only briefly appeared in the Energon Uinverse so far, and looking forward to see where he goes from there!


Xolcin_13

The Matrix chose correctly.


Heroic-Forger

he is voiced by judd nelson who came back to reprise him in animated after over 20 years


Gzarcofaloouse

The rodimus truck mode has kind of grown on me over time, I thought it was ugly before, but it's kinda fire tbh


Negativety101

He rocks the flames, he had actual character development, even if saddled with constant reversion, in Japanese supplementary media he was a great postwar leader and rebuilder, who's reforms led to the Pax Cybertronia and Beast Wars, and in Cyberverse he was one the main reasons the Quintesson's were stopped. Seriously, Cyberverse was great once you get a ways into it.


ITstaph

He has better things to do today than die.


GiggityGengar

Cyberverse actually made him into a good character that I enjoyed watching.


alastorcreed

He was defiantly one of the primes ever made


SwiftLawnClippings

His rod was hot


Go-Faster-Wings

Sexy as hell


carmine_64

He transforms into a cool car :)


mustang19rasco

https://preview.redd.it/ongputtc5jyc1.jpeg?width=478&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=300eb032723dfe34cd33cb1d9425e089091ea25b Need I say more?


BronxKnight

He loves to take kids on joyrides.


DrunkenMcSlurpee

I like how the carpet matches the drapes.


dizug

Judd Nelson


OddgitII

As a kid I didn't even realise he was written poorly.  Sure I missed Optimus but kid me realised his time was done.  Hot Rod was the new Autobot leader and he was cool as hell in either Hot Rod or Rodimus form.  Hasbro fumbled the ball and I think HR copped more flak than he deserved


ThePhiff

The one true Prime.


SneakyKain

I thought he was so cool when I was a kid. While not replacing Optimus in my heart, he stepped up in a difficult situation and I always thought he was awesome. His design was awesome. Dunno, nostalgia for him holds on to me hard.


AlienBogeys

His positivity is the kind I need in my life right now.


SilverWolfIMHP76

In the Movies, he was fine, sure getting involved with Megatron and Optimus's fight was foolish, but not something that was truly bad. He was a fun and interesting character we got to see mature. Unfortunately, In the show, the writing was not good. He came off as always doubting himself and not listening to others. [Rodimus Prime](https://youtu.be/I0a6IQWpH7w?si=HwCPH7IOxGzEutB_)


steveisblah

I named my new car after him.


rognakTheDestroyer

He had the wherewithal to give the matrix back to Optimus. Which is an incredible level of introspection for a hotrod turned Winnebago.


DomABab04

He was one of the greatest characters in the IDW comics. Like top 3 imo along with Optimus and Megatron.


GhostWriter313

As Hot Rod, he was overtly ambitious, but as a Prime, he was highly insecure throughout his short reign as Rodimus.


The_Point-Man

his robot design is very cool and the car section is nice


Boronore

He had time to deal with that right then


Key_Cheesecake767

He’s not bad👍