<P> The term "Generation 1" covers both the animated television series The Transformers and the comic book series of the same name, which are further divided into Japanese and British spin - offs, respectively . Sequels followed, such as the Generation 2 comic book and Beast Wars TV series, which became its own mini-universe . Generation 1 characters underwent two reboots with Dreamwave in 2001 and IDW Publishing in 2005, also as a remastered series . There have been other incarnations of the story based on different toy lines during and after the 20th century . The first was the Robots in Disguise series, followed by three shows (Armada, Energon, and Cybertron) that constitute a single universe called the "Unicron Trilogy". A live - action film was also released in 2007, with a sequel in 2009, a second sequel in 2011, a third in 2014, and a fourth in 2017, again distinct from previous incarnations, while the Transformers: Animated series merged concepts from the G1 story - arc, the 2007 live - action film and the "Unicron Trilogy". Transformers: Prime previously aired on The Hub . </P> <P> Although initially a separate and competing franchise started in 1983, Tonka's Gobots became the intellectual property of Hasbro after their buyout of Tonka in 1991 . Subsequently, the universe depicted in the animated series Challenge of the GoBots and follow - up film GoBots: Battle of the Rock Lords was retroactively established as an alternate universe within the Transformers robot superhero franchise . </P> <P> Generation One is a retroactive term for the Transformers characters that appeared between 1984 and 1993 . The Transformers began with the 1980s Japanese toy lines Microman and Diaclone . The former utilized varying humanoid - type figures while the latter presented robots able to transform into everyday vehicles, electronic items or weapons . Hasbro, fresh from the success of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, which used the Microman technology to great success, bought the Diaclone toys, and partnered with Takara . Jim Shooter and Dennis O'Neil were hired by Hasbro to create the backstory; O'Neil also created the name "Optimus Prime ." Afterwards, Bob Budiansky created most of the Transformers characters, giving names and personalities to many unnamed Diaclone figures . </P> <P> The primary concept of Generation One is that the heroic Optimus Prime, the villainous Megatron, and their finest soldiers crash land on pre-historic Earth in the Ark and the Nemesis before awakening in 1985, Cybertron hurtling through the Neutral zone as an effect of the war . The Marvel comic was originally part of the main Marvel Universe, with appearances from Spider - Man and Nick Fury, plus some cameos, as well as a visit to the Savage Land . </P>

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