Matrix of Leadership

Matrix of Leadership
Concept art of Prima, a member of the original thirteen Primes, with the Matrix in the handle of his sword designed by artist Ken Christiansen.
Plot element from the Transformers franchise
Publisher	Marvel Comics (introduction only)
First appearance	Transformers issue #10 (November 1985)
Created by	Bob Budiansky
Genre	Science fiction
In-story information
Type	A program or an oval-shaped container, holding a glowing crystal within.
Function	Transfers leadership of the Autobots to the recipient.

The Matrix of Leadership (originally called the Creation Matrix) is a fictional artifact in the Transformers toy and media franchise created by Hasbro. In most incarnations, it is a legendary talisman that is passed down to new leaders of the Autobots, the franchise's main protagonists. The Matrix has been one of the transformers franchise's most prominent elements, appearing in almost every Transformers comic and television series, as well as the live-action film series.

The first appearance of the Creation Matrix, later also known as the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, was in Marvel's Transformers comics, where the Matrix's first appearance pre-dated its cartoon appearance by over a year. The Creation Matrix was first described as a computer program in Optimus Prime's mind, required to bestow life on newly created Transformers, considered the inspiration for the All Spark Cube in the 2007 Transformers live action film. Prime was captured by the Decepticon leader, Shockwave, his head separated from his body, and the Matrix program used to bring the Constructicons to life. Before Shockwave could animate Jetfire, however, Prime transferred the Creation Matrix to the mind of Buster Witwicky, who used it to take control of Jetfire and rescue Prime.

During the UK-only story 'Crisis of Command', Prowl advocated exploiting the Creation Matrix to animate dedicated war machines. Optimus Prime was opposed to this ethically questionable move, and decisively ruled against it after a period of fierce debate amongst the Autobots. The Decepticons were able to tap the energy of the Matrix to create the Stunticons and Combaticons when Prime used it to give life to the Aerialbots and Protectobots, but Prime's subsequent destruction left all assuming that the Matrix had been destroyed.