As a member of the Autobots, Ultra Magnus is a key figure in their ongoing war against the Decepticons for the fate of the universe in the long-running Transformers franchise. First debuting to American audiences in 1986's The Transformers: The Movie, Ultra Magnus was a trusted lieutenant to Optimus Prime who was chosen to replace him as the leader of the Autobots following Optimus' death at the hands of Megatron. Even after Optimus Prime's resurrection, Ultra Magnus plays a major role in the franchise, including IDW Publishing's critically-acclaimed line of Transformers comics.
Now, here's everything you need to know about Ultra Magnus, from his debut on the big screen to his current role in IDW's comic book series.
A New Leader for the Autobots
First appearing in the Japanese-exclusive animated series Transformers: Scramble City which revealed his arrival on Earth, Ultra Magnus' debut with American audiences was in The Transformers: The Movie leading the defense of Autobot City against an all-out assault by the Decepticons. After Optimus Prime is mortally wounded by Megatron, the dying Autobot passes the Matrix of Leadership to Ultra Magnus and command of the Autobots despite the younger soldier's protests.
After arriving on the Junk Planet, Ultra Magnus fights Galvatron, a newly resurrected version of Megatron empowered by Unicron to be stronger than ever. Blown apart and killed by Galvatron, Ultra Magnus is resurrected by the planet's native Transformers, the Junkions, after they rebuild and reactivate him. After Hot Rod regains the Matrix of Leadership from Galvatron and defeats him and Unicron, Ultra Magnus is more than happy to defer command of the Autobots to Hot Rod as he ascends to the role as Rodimus Prime, continuing to serve as a friend and advisor to the new leader.
Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime
One of the biggest revisions to Ultra Magnus over the years was done by now-defunct comic book publisher Dreamwave Productions' reboot of the Generation-1 Transformers Universe. In this adaptation, Magnus is actually Optimus Prime's brother and a childhood friend of Optimus' nicknamed Dion. After Optimus and Megatron disappeared millions of years in the past, the subsequent war for Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons resulted in the planet's natural resources being completely exhausted with both factions entering a lengthy hibernation until the planet recovered.
During the war, Magnus had shared leadership of the Autobots with Fortress Maximus in the wake of Optimus' disappearance until entering hibernation. After Cybertron had recovered, Shockwave revived and unified the Autobots and Decepticons while appointing Magnus as his second-in-command. Following Optimus' return, Shockwave turns on Magnus and gravely wounds him. Barely surviving, Dreamwave shut its doors before the story could be completed leaving the continuing adventures of the reunited Ultra Magnus and Optimus Prime unfinished.
Ultra Magnus Revisited
IDW Publishing is the most recent comic book publisher to adapt the Transformers franchise, including a reimagining of Ultra Magnus. In this new continuity, Magnus is a no-nonsense law enforcement officer who punishes those who violate the laws of Cybertron, targeting Autobot and Decepticon offenders alike. Pursuing the Decepticon Swindle across the cosmos, Magnus' travels leads to him crossing paths with acting Autobot commander Bumblebee who urges Magnus to join his fellow Autobots in fighting the Decepticons on Earth.
Magnus reappears as the second-in-command of Rodimus on board the Autobot starship Lost Light, maintaining his unwavering dedication to the rules. Following the conclusion of the war, it is revealed that Magnus is actually Chief Justice Tyrest who wears a replica armor of the original Ultra Magnus to zealously continue his inspiration's mission of law enforcement after the original's death before he ceded his role and armor to Minimus Ambus.