Action figure:25th Anniversary Optimus Prime

A character of the "Transformers" action-figure series, Optimus Prime leads the Autobots. The Transformers series signifies a novel development in the successive lines of wildly popular action figures sold to youngsters from the late 1970s to the present day. Hasbro's Transformers figures consisted of puzzle-like pieces assembled as cars, planes, weapons, and the like. When the pieces were rearranged, the figures became robot warriors supported by elaborate histories, individual biographies, and novel charts and graphs delineating unique abilities and strengths. Optimus Prime, for example, "transforms from tractor trailer to robot with headquarters & and back!" Transformers first appeared in 1984; by the line's second year, sales topped $300 million. A television show and extensive marketing introduced new characters in successive generations. Transformers figures have spawned imitative lines by Tonka (Gobots) and Kenner (Centurions). This action figure is part of a series that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the toy line.