Devin picked Fortress Maximus for this week's episode in memory of actor Jason David Frank - Tommy Oliver on "Power Rangers" - who provided the voice of Emissary in "Titans Return," and who sadly passed away last year.

Fortress Maximus was actually a name that Hasbro had wanted to use since 1985; both Omega Supreme and Metroplex had that as early working names during development. In fact, the Marvel comic adaptation of the 1986 Movie called Autobot City "Fortress Maximus" in a caption box. The Marvel UK letters page eventually explained this by saying that the Autobot City was named Fortress Maximus in honor of the bot of the same name.

I did love how they worked in the cartoon's Witwicky to work as a comic character alongside Buster.

I prefer Maximus as a giant. It really helps show that there is often times someone or something else bigger, in this case Fortress Maximus. Thank you so much Chris for finally doing this video on Fortress Maximus. I can't wait to see the Basics video on Metroplex to round out the basics for the more popular Titans. We've had videos on Trypticon, Scorponok, Fortress Maximus, now all we need is Metroplex to complete it.

I would love a basics on tracks anyone else agree?

Fortress Maximus, the Titan who has stomped our wallets flat with his massive and expensive action figures!

That IDW Fort max was made into a 3rd party figure from fansproject called Warden. It can turn into a cybertronian tank but more importantly also into a head mode that can connect to G1 Fort max. His treads can clip onto his backpack. Very cool toy

Amazing summary Chris. Its so weird they made regular sized versions of Fortress. His size was kind of his standout characteristic.

Being from Northern Ireland could not get Fortress Maximus when he came out in the 80s. He was apart of the group Hasbro did not think would "sell" in the UK. However a toy shop in Ballymena brought one from the US and give it away in a competition. At the time I was an adult so could not enter it. They had it on show and you could image how much I'd wanted to be a kid again.

Personally I prefer the Japanese version of the Headmasters Concept and I especially prefer Fort Max being a full sized Titan over a "standard" sized Transformer. Brave Maximus was a gift from my late uncle for my 10th Birthday, right before Robots in Disguise started airing in the US, and is still probably my favorite color scheme for that mold. I love my Titans Return Fort Max and I even recently got my hands on Legends Grand Maximus but them making him a Retool of Metroplex really held the figure back: he's missing most of his weapons, Cerebros doesn't have a hiding area in City/Ship mode, the tower basically requires Cerebros to look complete, the tower lacks a control Room for Emissary, the legs don't fold up in city mode, and most of his weapons (all the arm and waist mounted guns) are just missing entirely.

The Enterprise version nearly made me spit out my drink. I had no idea that was a thing.

14:39 I did like how IDW's Titans Return Arc depicted his giant form like an exo-suit. That's also how I like to interpret members of the House of Maximus from the Aligned continuity. (In addition to being members of the Elite Guard and being equipped with Nucleon Shock Canons, something that Knock Out knows about).

Never forget how i saw his 3p toy and was confused how hes a headmaster that turns into a head

For me this is one of the most epic episodes ever! Thanks Chris, really appreciate all the effort and love you put in creating these documentaries.

Fortress Maximus is awesome! The biggest of the Autobots and being so peaceful, he's the definition of a gentle giant among Transformers. Another change in 2001 RID is that Cerebros was more or less a drone controlled by the small Emissary robot and Brave/Fortress Maximus had very limited intelligence. The Earthrise Scorponok toy ended up standing up to the same height as Fort Max's Titans Return toy, but I think it's strangely fitting that both would be outgrown by a transforming planet.

Personally I prefer the smaller Fort Max because he can interact better with the rest of the characters. Also if you look at the Titans Return Fort Max (who keeps falling over because of a lack of ankle articulation) in alt mode he's not the size of a city, more like a mobile base or battle station, but Metroplex on the other hand can be as big as you like! That said I always had a mental picture of Fort Max and Godzilla just hanging out having a few beers!

Technically if you think about it he's still the tallest Titan because Unicron isn't Titan he's a planet eater

Hot take: A Titan like Fortress Maximus or Trypticon should be the plot point of a Transformers film

Another one of my favorites. Still remember getting the orig. G1 that Christmas 87 and still have him to this day

Hmm, I think I lean more for good old Titan Fort Max while old TF IDW's Fort Max (regular bot; just taller then others, amusingly retaining little features like having little compartments on his body) comes close second. Honestly though, latter version of Fort Max would be interesting to get Legacy release.

Heres to Fort Max! Largest Transformer for years and awesome foil to Scorpinok!!! Also gotta give love to Spike for becoming one of the greatest Head Link modes in the entire Franchise !😮

Thanks for this. I was always confused by his regular size in the early comics. ✨✅✨

“Fortress Maximus has come himself”

I've been waiting all week for your latest episode Chris, it's always a thrill to watch your work.

i had both versions of him as a kid. my mom was in doll business and when she went to japan, she would always bring back a bunch of stuff for us kids. those were fun times.

I would like to adopt the idea 💡 of the mini-cons finally leaving Cybertron due to the latest war with Optimus and Megatron. Hence the reason Cybertron became soo rundown quickly.

I would love it if Hasbro made a Marvel inspired Leader or commander class Fort Max as well as a Scorponok.

I guess this is where I admit I have a lot of love for The Rebirth, and Fort Max's entrance in ep3 rules.

RID Fortress Maximus/Brave Maximus is one of my Transformers holy grails

My first introduction to Fortress Maximus was in RID 2001. I remember as a kid watching it & being awestruck when I saw how massive he was

Fortress maximus is now also considered a triple changer because he has more than just one mode so he is not just the biggest headmaster but also the biggest triple changing transformer.

I can easily see the live-action version of Fort Max. Cerebros: "I can't fight" Sam: "JUST DO IT!!"

Metroplex: gets a bigger toy Fortress Maximus: "And I took the personally"

I love the color scheme for the G1 toy at 7:51 - repainted as Brave Maximus.

Fortress Maximus, is probably my second favorite titan transformer. Plus you have to give him props for becoming the new autobot leader after Rodimus prime.

11:09, "Fortress Tiberius" Lol! That's perfect as that is James Kirk's middle name.

By Far, my most Favourite Transformer since his Debut.

It’s funny how we got so many toys out of crossover bots like Gigawatt, X-Spanse, JP93 & Tyrannocon Rex, a Ghostbusters repaint of MP-10 and Ectotron, yet we never got a Fortress Tiberius toy from the Star Trek Crossover.

One of the Best Characters/Titans of the Entire Transformers Franchise my friends. Thanks.

I'd sell my soul for a masterpiece quality, titan scale toy of "Fortress Enterprise". 😅 Then all I'd need is some kind of Transformers/WH40k mashup and I could have a Transformer for each of my favourite Geekdoms. ☺️

I never even realized that Grand Maximus was a separate character, and his little brother. When I watched Masterforce, I just thought Fortress upgraded himself into a Pretender.

I rem seeing that Fortess Maximus in the Transformers catalogue and was never found a kid on the block that had this. It was a legend.

This was the basics episode i've been waiting for for years at this point. I never cared much for Fort. Max until his appearence in IDW.

In addition, in the JP Universe, "Brave Maximus" too was also part of 2005 Autobot City owing to the Robotmasters storyline where after sending the Destrongers of Car Robots into prison was sent back to Earth to aid the Cybertrons in their never ending struggles against the Destrons. It is from here where he remain inert until 2010-11 when his adventures with the KissPlayers sent him further into the past wherehe crashed on Master and served as a "divine" source of all sorts of "master" technology ( which Convoy of 2001 never used) like headmaster, targetmasters (that part in the JP show was a bit hokey), Pretendahs and the brainmaster tech.

In addition to the late Jason David Frank voicing the Emissary, Fortress Maximus in Titans Return was voiced by Michael Dorn aka Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Machinima really made the whole titan fight underwhelming and I don't think knees are supposed to bend that way 5:41 I think he's in extreme pain right now

During the Plague I rescued a Titans Return Maximus off ebay [for ~50 counting shipping]. It was missing his head, some weapons and decals. I am still in the process of converting it into a warhammer 40k Imperator Class Titan, basically a walking castle. Once I figure out the knees, it will be able to still partially transform into a fortress, by sitting down. With the landing pad on top [large enough to support 2-3 deluxe-class flyers like Windblade or Springer] and at full height it stands nearly 4' tall. What used to be Maximus' Feet/Ankles are now the Titan's knees, with a pair of 40k Bastions [each almost as tall as the original legs] as his feet/shins, and the original knees being what I need to add an additional point of rotation to to allow it to sit down.Ine arm is extended with a cannon almost the size of G1 Megatron and the other with a drop pod acting as a power fist, itself around the size of a 1-liter soda bottle.

I really like fortress Maximus and also I read about Fortress Maximus he is a member of a titan and headmaster and also a city base and also a new member of elite guard as defensive and I will enjoy 😉 your videos of transformers history and I put lots more likes 👍 on your KZfaq videos channel ❤

The G1 toy was the toy I dreamed of having most

Cool thing about RID Fortress/Brave Maximus is his size. Both Fortress and Grand’s smallest headmaster partners are human size that attach to the transformer size Cerebros components that themselves connect to the giant Fortress Maximus. For RID Fortress/Brave, the smallest component, Cerebros, is transformer size, who connects to the larger Emissary, who connects to the even larger Fortress, meaning that RID/Fortress/Brave Maximus is significantly larger than the already giant original Fortress and Grand Maximus.

A basics on Brainstorm would be awesome, such a great character.

I could have sworn you've already did an episode on Fortress Maximus before. Then again that might be because he was mentioned in so many of your other videos. He really left his footprint on so many aspects of the franchise.

I love you videos I have been waching your channel for 3 years and your videos make me understand a lot more about transformers history.

Fortress Maximus is one of my favorite Transformers. Go Big or Go Home 😃

Super excited for fort max but I always look forward to your basics!

Nice! This is exactly what I needed this morning!

Would love to see a basics video on the decepticon infernocus

This was a great episode. And considering how amazing this channel is normally, I mean it has high praise!! Fort Maxx is a personal favorite...so thank you!!

Fanstoys is making a Fort Max figure that is going to be about 1.2 meters tall. It's insane.

Hi Chris,Great video about Transformers The Basics On Fortress Maximus,keep them coming, Also your latest Video was magnificent, also Fortress Maximus is not only one of my favorite Autobots, not only one of my favorite Autobot Headmasters, not only one of my favorite Biggest Autobots, not only one of my favorite Transformers Heroes, but also one of my favorite Hasbro Heroes of all time, also For me this is one of the most epic episodes ever! Thanks Chris, I really appreciate all the effort and love you put in creating these documentaries.Also Fortress Maximus, The Titan who has stomped our wallets flat with his massive expensive but superb action figures! Also I prefer Maximus as a giant. It really helps show that there is often times someone or something else bigger, in this case Fortress Maximus. Also Thank you so much Chris and even though you're Asleep for finally doing this video on Fortress Maximus. I can't wait to see the Basics video on Metroplex to round out the basics for the more popular Titans. We've had videos on 1.Trypticon,2.Scorponok,3.Fortress Maximus, now all we need is Metroplex to complete it. Also I've been waiting all week for your latest episode Chris, is always a thrill to watch you work. Also Here's to Fort Max! Largest Transformer for years and awesome but Superb foil to Scorponok! Also gotta give love to Spike Witwicky(Spike Witwicky,6'3"(adult,cah,225ibs(Caw), The human Alliy & friend of the Autobots and the Human ambassador to Both Earth which include The U.S.A.(United States of America) & Cybertron in the cartoon for becoming one of the greatest Head Link modes in the entrie Franchise! Also Fortress Maximus is not only awesome but Superb,The biggest of The Autobots and being so peaceful, he's the definition of a Gentle Giant among Transformers. Another change in 2001 RID is that Cerebros was more or less a drone controlled by the small Emissary robot/Autobot and Brave/Fortress Maximus had very limited intelligence. The Earthrise Scorponok Toy ended up standing to the same height as Fort Max's Titans Return Toy,but I think it's strangely fitting that both would be outgrown by a transforming planet. Also Fortress Maximus is now also considered a Triple changer because he has more than just one mode so he is not just the biggest headmaster but also the biggest triple changer transformer.I too love how they worked in the cartoon's s Witwicky to work as a Comic character alongside Buster, but also for the cartoon Spike as a adult to work alongside his wife Carly and their son Daniel. Also I guess this is where I admit I too and still have a lot of love for The Rebirth, and Fort Max's entrance in ep3 still rules. Also the following Information about Fortress Maximus is from the following Comic Books they are:1.Transformers(1st ongoing, regular Series)#79(1991)2.Transformers More Than Meets The Eye(limited, maxi-series)#2(of)8(2003),3.Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Official Guidebook Trade PaperBack Volume 1(2004),4.Transformers More Than Meets The Eye Official Guidebook Volume 1 Trade PaperBack (IDW),(2008),5.Cybertronian The Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide Volume 3(of)7(2001),6.Transformers Classics Volume 8 Trade PaperBack(2015),7.Transformers: The Ark Trade PaperBack Volume 1 Trade PaperBack(May,2007),8. Transformers The Ark Volume 2 Trade PaperBack(July,2008),9.The Complete Transformers The Ark Trade PaperBack(2009,2010), 10.The Unofficial Guide To Transformers 1980's Through 1990's Trade PaperBack(1999),11.TransformersvThe Ultimate Guide(2005),12.Transformers The Ultimate Guide Updated Edition Trade PaperBack(2007),13. The Ultimate Vintage Guide to The Transformers Paperback(2016),14. The Unofficial Guide To Vintage Transformers 1980's Through 1990's(2017), & 15. Transformers A Visual History Hardcover(2019),& 16.Transformers Legacy(Hardcover,2014). 17. Transformers Legacy(2019) Softcover/Trade PaperBack and The Virtual Transformers Season 4 Website, From Transformers(1st series)#79 Allegiance:(as of 2023): Autobot, Subgroup:(as of 2023): Headmaster,Human Component(as of 2023): Spike Witwicky, Function(as of 2023): Earth Defense Commander, First Appearance: Headmasters(limited, mini-series)#1(1987) Transformation(as of 2023):1.Battle Station,2. City Mode,Robot Component:(as of 2023): Cerebros, From Volume 3 of the Unofficial Transformers Recognition Guide: Fortress Maximus Function:(as of 2023):Headmaster Leader,Autobot Component(as of 2023):Cerebros,Human Component:(as of 2023): Spike Witwicky Gasket/Grommet/Cog Transformation(as of 2023):1.City,2.Battle Station/Flying Fortress,3.Robot, 1.Valiant,2. Courageous,3. A Warrior without Peer, Also from Transformers More Than Meets The Eye(limited, maxi-series)#2(of)8(2003): Fortress Maximus Allegiance:(as of 2023):Autobot, Subgroup:(as of 2023): Headmaster, Primary Function(as of 2023):Headmaster Leader,1.Cog,2. Cerebros, & 3.Headmaster: Spike(Spike Witwicky 6'3"(adult,cah, 226ibs(adult/Caw), Transformation/Battle Mode(as of 2023):1.City,2.Space Cruiser, Fortress Maximus is one of the most powerful Autobots ever created and one of the most peaceful and a courageous leader and one of the most largest and Strongest Transformers, Also from The Virtual Transformers Season 4 Website: Fortress Maximus With Cerebros,Cog/Gasket/Grommet, & Spike Witwicky(Spike Witwicky,6'3"(adult,cah,225ibs(adult,Caw), Allegiance:(as of 2023):Autobot, Subgroup:(as of 2023): Headmaster, Function:(as of 2023): Headmaster Leader/Base First Appearance:(Cerebros) Episode#96 The Rebirth Part One,(Cog/Gasket/Grommet) Yet to Appear,(Spike Witwicky) Episode#1 More than Meets The Eye( Part One),(1984) (Fortress Maximus) Episode#98 The Rebirth(Part Three), (Fortress Maximus,Cerebros & Spike Together as a Headmaster) Episode#98 The Rebirth(part Three), Voice Actors:Cerebros: Jared Barclay,2.Spike Witwicky,3.Fortress Maximus: Stephen Keener, Also my favorite Variation/Version and iteration of Fortress Maximus is The G1 Cartoon Version of Fortress Maximus created and Bulit by both Spike Witwicky and Cerebros taking control of the various abandoned machines there,Spike rebuilt the city, Cerebros and even himself into a Headmaster robot that could stand up to Scorponok's power: Fortress Maximus,Also Fortress Maximus is big, Also I'm so very happy this video was finally made,Fortress Maximus is my favorite Autobot Leader, just as such a fun era when 2 Titans commanded the forces of good and evil. Also thank you for sharing Chris and you too Delvin keep up the good work guys stay safe out there have a good night and until next time TILL ALL ARE ONE.🙂👍🟢🏋️💪🇺🇲🤓✌️😎

I like to thing that I know a lot about Transformers, but this channel doesn't stop surprising me with info I never imagined. For example, I never knew Fort Max has so many origin stories!

My Favorite take on him is the Japanese Concept. That Colossal Titan that dwarfed Metroplex. I don´t like the cartoon Headmasters much, but the concept of the Trasnsectors is much cooler in my opinion!

There was a scene in the Tom Hanks film "Big" where he was in a meeting for a toy pitch where a building transformed into a robot. Hank's character said, "what kid would play with a building?" And here we see Fortress Maximus.

Fun fact: In the Titans Return Web Series, Emissary was voiced by the late Power Rangers Alumni Jason David Frank.

Outstanding research and informative. I enjoyed this Fort Max Basic!

Hell Yeah! its always a good weekend when Chris Uploads

Finally, one of my favourite characters! Amazing video as always!

14:30, it's appropriate that Unicron be taller than Maximus. I mean, he's a PLANET after all.

fort max was also seen in transformers armada under the name peritus maximus in a flash back scene of wheel jacks origin. he appeared as a regular sized bot in quick switch's colors and was overseeing a platoon with hotshot and wheeljack

The More Than Meets the Eye version is my fav!

I hope one day we can get that Star Trek Crossover as a figure. Another Great episode, Chris!

Great vid mate. And the original G1 Fort Max is my toy 'grail' so love seeing any stuff on him.

I like Fort Max personality and design in IDW. However, I enjoy his Titan size as well. Because it brings out an entire new scale to the Cybertronians.

One of my favorites! Thank you.

I honestly really like when Fort Max is normal-sized but keeps the moniker (or at least a bit of it). It’s a ‘clothes don’t make the person’ kinda thing in the model of other Marvel stories, where if it took power or a weapon or a suit to make you great then you were never great at all. The reason he’s such a powerhouse when he IS giant is the strength of character required to use amazing power for justice. ‘Fortress’ just makes him seem so resilient and inspirational in spirit that he might as WELL be a giant. The whole headmaster thing is about unity and throwing bits of yourself to the wind for even one shot at contributing to a better whole, so he might as well embody that even when he’s not binary-bonded to a squishy pal by being a total champ.

Yes! Finally! Fortress Maximus is here! Thanks for the awesome video Chris!

Im so happy this video was finally made, Fortress Maximus is my favorite autobot leader, just such a fun era when 2 titans commanded the forces of good and evil. I hope we can get a video about Ginrai soon

IDW Fort Max had some mystery added to him in James Roberts Lost Light saga, Sentinel Prime/Infinitus called him Pious Maximus, identifying him as a historical transformer who looked identical to Fortress, Pious was 'last' seen at a spark relinquishment clinic which Rewind attended for information and Fortress had some shade on his origins in that he was called a made to order constructed cold warrior, but he was unaffected by Tyrest's killswitch meaning he was forged.

There is a little known fact about Fortress Maximus' battleship mode, in that it resembles the White Base from the Mobile Suit Gundam series. This little fact is stated on the TFWiki page for Fortress Maximus. While it was not mentioned in the episode, I thought it would be nice to mention it here in the comments. 💙

The most powerful leader of the Autobots, a gentle giant that was only concerned with the protection of life in the entire universe

The largest Autobot. I actually love the Titan concept for the series. Give us cities that literally fight back.

I found your review great fun and informative. Excellent work! Thank you!

Has anyone else noticed that Fort Max's starship mode in G1 was clearly inspired by White Base from OG Gundam.

Glad to see your still going strong man!

I have copies of the first 3 Headmasters comics. I've thumbed through them carefully, but only once. Sot it was cool to see some panels digitally in the video! Awesome as always.

My second Patreon sponsored episode. This time to honor Jason David Frank.

You forgot to mention his knee guns! Everybody loves Fort Max's knee guns :p

This was the last transformer I bought when I was a kid. Started to outgrow toys by then. My kids loved them also.

Thank you for the video. I learned quite a bit that I didn't know......that I didn't know. Thanks for all the awesome content. Have a great week!

Loved the IDW version. He was always a bit unstable & too willing to resort to violence

Chris I know you can hear me Do these basics: Tailgate G1 appearance - games - comics - tf prime Gears G1 - games etc. Tracks G1 - rid 2015 blacklist appearance Sunstreaker G1 - comics ??? Evac 2005 tf cybertron - Transformers wild ride ROTF Jolt G2 - G2 comics - Armada - Tf Revenge of the Fallen - Tf Dotm (comics)

I proudly own a g1 Fort Max, but it is currently missing from where it was supposed to be and it's driving me nuts that I can't find it.

I don't know why but seeing him as the Starship Enterprise is made me laugh. I want to see more Transformers based on Startrek designs, what a random crossover lol.

Great Stuff, as always!

I knew about this (retconned) g1 continuity connection about the brave maximus of car robots. Ultimately not only do the colors recall the diaclone series in particular the great robot base, but thanks to this invention brave maximus is precisely the forerunner, the pre-tf, of fortress maximus.

Finally, I can watch Basics again.

Great suggestion by Devin. Great synopsis as always. Only one teeny tiny thing could have been added: "Master Sword! Big Mode...Transform!" Yes, it was a stock footage piece every time Fortress transformed, but it was what made the G1J character so unique, at least in my mind. It definitely tainted my view of the Spike version and the Galan version (thank goodness he was a Headmaster and not a Powermaster and spend half the issue just eating everything in sight!). To this day I curse the fact that I could only get a hold of the NA release of the Titans Returns version. Just not the same without the Master Sword. I know it has been 3-4 years since you did a video on the G1J series and one on Scorponok, but have you though on doing one on Devil Z/Zarak/Black Zarak? The "Legends" comic had a great origin story for him.

To me it’s the first big BOT I purchased and the best,just missing a few little guns.that was a great review thanks

Gotta love how in Titans Return they build up Fort Max like he’s gonna blast ass, yet he gets rekt in less than 2 episodes LOL

My favorite version of Fortress Maximus is the Marvel comics one, especially when bonded with Galen. Spike was always concerned with locating Buster or going back to college, while Galen gave up everyone he loved to lead the Autobots on the Steelhaven to Earth.