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Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comics
Undergoing a binary bonding process with the inert Decepticons, Hi-Test changed himself and his ally
Throttle into the first Powermasters. Using this new process, the Decepticons were able to function on the poisoned planet of
Nebulos by
using their Powermaster partners as living batteries.
A small team of Autobots arrived on Nebulos, hoping to construct a new body for their leader,
Optimus Prime. Seeing the Decepticons running rampant, they tried to stop their reign of terror, but soon began to run low on fuel. Hi-Q took action and used the same binary bonding process as his rival Hi-Test, bonding himself to the body of Optimus Prime. His fellow scientists, with one exception, followed suit in bonding themselves to fallen Autobots as well. The revitalized Autobots quickly defeated the two Decepticons.
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Most of the Transformers known as "Powermasters" were the result of this initial bonding—the procedure is otherwise quite rare.
Transformers Comic-Magazin
Powermaster is the highest rank a Transformer can receive, with
Megatron and Optimus Prime as the Powermasters for their factions.
Rodimus Prime, the Autobot commander on Cybertron, only has Headmaster rank and so is subordinate to Optimus.