MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Jack Lawrence

2020-10-12T21:43:10Z

Thatmaskedman: Added External Links section, and link out to Jack's official website

[[File:Jack Lawrence.jpg|thumb|Transformers Wiki presents Jack Lawrence in... <s>Potato</s> Android Vision!]]
'''Jack Lawrence''' (b. [[1975]]) is an [[United Kingdom|English]] comic book artist born in Canterbury, Kent, who began his career as a character animator for Lightmaker, a web design company in the UK, in 2000. He has worked on ''Transformers'' titles for [[IDW Publishing]]. His first published art for the company was a variant cover for [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|''Sins of the Wreckers'' #4]]. He was then announced as one of the artists for ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]''. He'd previously worked with [[James Roberts]], and Roberts's frequent collaborator [[Nick Roche]], on projects for the [[Transmasters UK]] [[fan fiction]] group.

Outside of ''Transformers''. his professional work includes drawing the "City Def: Field Trip" story for ''{{w|Judge Dredd Megazine}}'' 279{{n-}}293 and the creator-owned ''Darkham Vale'' series.

==Comic art==
===Interiors===
*''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #1–7, #10–12, #16–18, #21, #23, #25
*''[[Star Trek vs. Transformers]]'' #3
* ''[[My Little Pony/Transformers]]'' #1, #3

===Covers===
*''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers]]'' #4
*''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' #5
*''The Transformers: Lost Light'' #1–18, #20, #21, #23, #25
*''My Little Pony/Transformers'' #1

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:SOTW4_subcvr.jpg|
File:TheNewColossus-BaronKarza.jpg|
File:LL1 regcvr.jpg|
File:LugIDW.jpg|
</gallery>
*''[[:Category:Images by Jack Lawrence|Extended Jack Lawrence gallery]]''</center>

==External Links==
*[http://jackademus.com/ Art of Jack Lawrence Official Website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Jack}}
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]

Jack Lawrence

2020-10-12T21:38:37Z

Thatmaskedman: Change 1: added some biographical information about early career (source: Wikipedia), Change 2: grammatical fixes - antecedent for Lost Light announcement, 's' after apostrophe on "Roberts's" (possessive use, Strunk & White's Rules of Style)

[[File:Jack Lawrence.jpg|thumb|Transformers Wiki presents Jack Lawrence in... <s>Potato</s> Android Vision!]]
'''Jack Lawrence''' (b. [[1975]]) is an [[United Kingdom|English]] comic book artist born in Canterbury, Kent, who began his career as a character animator for Lightmaker, a web design company in the UK, in 2000. He has worked on ''Transformers'' titles for [[IDW Publishing]]. His first published art for the company was a variant cover for [[Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|''Sins of the Wreckers'' #4]]. He was then announced as one of the artists for ''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]''. He'd previously worked with [[James Roberts]], and Roberts's frequent collaborator [[Nick Roche]], on projects for the [[Transmasters UK]] [[fan fiction]] group.

Outside of ''Transformers''. his professional work includes drawing the "City Def: Field Trip" story for ''{{w|Judge Dredd Megazine}}'' 279{{n-}}293 and the creator-owned ''Darkham Vale'' series.

==Comic art==
===Interiors===
*''[[The Transformers: Lost Light]]'' #1–7, #10–12, #16–18, #21, #23, #25
*''[[Star Trek vs. Transformers]]'' #3
* ''[[My Little Pony/Transformers]]'' #1, #3

===Covers===
*''[[The Transformers: Sins of the Wreckers]]'' #4
*''[[The Transformers: Till All Are One]]'' #5
*''The Transformers: Lost Light'' #1–18, #20, #21, #23, #25
*''My Little Pony/Transformers'' #1

==Gallery==
<center><gallery>
File:SOTW4_subcvr.jpg|
File:TheNewColossus-BaronKarza.jpg|
File:LL1 regcvr.jpg|
File:LugIDW.jpg|
</gallery>
*''[[:Category:Images by Jack Lawrence|Extended Jack Lawrence gallery]]''</center>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lawrence, Jack}}
[[Category:IDW Publishing]]
[[Category:Illustrators]]

Verity Carlo

2020-01-08T02:05:37Z

Thatmaskedman: /* 2005 IDW continuity */ Spelling correction

{{factions|wreckers}}
:''Verity Carlo is a [[human]] from the [[2005 IDW continuity|2005 IDW portion]] of the [[Generation 1 continuity family|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[File:Veritycarlo.jpg|upright=1.4|thumb|Rare moment of not doing wild takes.]]
Make no mistake; '''Verity Simone Carlo''' is intelligent, nimble, resourceful, self-reliant, and cunning. Problem is, she likes to think she's tougher, smarter, and has more guts than pretty much everyone else. It's a good part of what allows her to maintain her rootless teen-aged existence hitch-hiking across the [[United States of America|United States]], living on theft and what little kindness she receives from strangers (although two mace sprays nestled in her backpack attest to how little she's willing to trust said strangers).

Something happened to Verity when she was a child, though, something that hurt her so badly that she refuses to form a serious bond with anyone or show any sign of fear. It's been with her so long that she abandoned several foster homes and (presumably) welcoming families when she was in her mid-teens. Because of that hurt Verity sees most people as marks, dupes or threats. Fear of getting hurt again keeps her moving when she maybe ought to settle down, and makes her abrasive and superior.

Whether it'll get her killed one day is anyone's guess, but joining the [[Wrecker]]s sure doesn't help.

{{quote|''Fh''. I've not been wanted anywhere, by anyone, since I started crawling. Why should it be any ''different'' this time around?|Verity reacts to [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] being a prick|[[Escalation issue 1|''Escalation'' #1]]}}
{{TOCclear}}

==Fiction==
===2005 IDW continuity===
[[File:VerityCarlo thievery MINE.jpg|left|upright=1.75|thumb|The inside of her mouth turns white when she lies.]]
Verity's life as a drifter changed forever when in [[Phoenix (city)|Phoenix]], [[Arizona]] when she spotted what she assumed was a long-distance salesman in possession of a [[SM-40|palmtop computer]]. Pickpocketing a ticket from a nearby family, Verity followed [[Stoker|the man]] onto a bus bound for [[Los Angeles]] and quickly stole the computer from his bag, then proceeded to fake an upset stomach to get the bus to pull over. Free and clear, she hitched a lift with passing motorist [[Hunter O'Nion]]... but what Verity had no way of knowing was that the victim of her theft was an agent of the [[Machination]], and the computer held photographs of secret [[Decepticon]] bases on [[Earth]]. Possession of the device immediately made her and Hunter targets, and it was only a short time later they were attacked by [[Thundercracker (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Thundercracker]]. Fortunately, the Autobot [[Ratchet (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ratchet]] appeared to offer them aid. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 0| Infiltration #0}} Though the alien conspiracy theorist Hunter understood the true nature of the alien robots they had found themselves caught between, Verity was less than convinced. Using the palmtop to make contact with her old friend [[Jimmy Pink]], she had Ratchet take them to Jimmy's garage. There, Hunter stole a look through the palmtop and realized its significance—a breach of trust that caused Verity to storm out in anger... only to come running back a moment later, pursued by the Decepticons [[Runamuck (G1)|Runamuck]] and [[Runabout (G1)|Runabout]]! {{storylink|Infiltration issue 1|Infiltration #1}} Verity endured an outright panic attack as she, Jimmy, and Hunter were forced to flee along with Ratchet, but they were soon saved from the pursuing Decepticons by several Autobots from Ratchet's unit. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 2|Infiltration #2}} {{storylink|Secret Raiders: A Revolution Prelude|Secret Raiders}}

[[File:Infiltration3 VeritySURPRISE.jpg|upright=1.75|thumb|That's right, Bobby, I believe you will find that I have no testicles.]]

Taken back to the Autobots' spaceship, the ''[[Ark-19]]'', at the bottom of [[Lake Michigan]], Verity and her friends were placed in a cell while the Autobots debated their next action. Verity tried to blackmail the 'bots into releasing them and giving them answers by threatening to delete all the data on the palmtop, but none of them took any notice. When unit leader [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]] refused to act on Ratchet's intel, the medic took matters into his own hands, releasing the three humans and studying the palmtop's data. Learning that the Decepticons had recently broken their normal [[infiltration protocol]] by relocating from a base in [[Nebraska]] to one in [[Oregon]], Verity and her friends insisted that they be allowed to help by investigating the abandoned Nebraska facility. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 3|Infiltration #3}}

[[File:Infiltration5 VerityMegatron.jpg|left|upright=1.25|thumb|Ask to be his pet. You just might live.]]

In short order, the subterranean based was located and Verity, Hunter, and Jimmy spelunked their way inside to investigate. Verity thought finding the corpses of people the Decepticons had turned into [[facsimile construct|facsimiles]] was traumatic enough, but was paralyzed with fear upon rounding a corner and laying eyes upon Decepticon leader [[Megatron (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Megatron]]. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 4|Infiltration #4}} Fortunately, Megatron had less than no interest in a mere human and ignored her. Still, Verity barely made it out of the base, nearly being buried alive when [[Skywarp (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Skywarp]] and [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] bombed it in order to cover their tracks. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 5|Infiltration #5}} Rescued from the wreckage by her friends, Verity tried to act unbothered and objected when Ratchet tried to take them back to the ''Ark-19'' rather than follow Megatron. Hunter and Jimmy admitted that they were overwhelmed and afraid, and that it was okay for Verity to feel that way too... whereupon she finally released her bottled-up emotions and burst into tears. {{storylink|Infiltration issue 6|Infiltration #6}}

[[File:Escalation2 hunters death.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]

Verity was bitterly unsurprised when [[Optimus Prime (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Optimus Prime]] arrived and ordered the Autobots to return her and her friends to their normal lives, well acquainted with the feeling that she was unwanted. On the trip back home, however, they were attacked by agents of the Machination, who apparently killed Hunter and their escort [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 1|Escalation #1}} Verity was visibly distraught, but hope soon materialized when the Autobots examined Sunstreaker's remains and discovered they were phoney. {{storylink|Escalation issue 2|Escalation #2}} Believing that the Machination had Hunter and Sunstreaker captive, Verity combined her hacking skills with Jimmy's engineering know-how to track down likely Machination facilities, and they, Ratchet, and [[Ironhide (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ironhide]] disobeyed orders again to investigate one in [[Fort Wayne]], [[Indiana]]. {{storylink|Escalation issue 3|Escalation #3}} Verity and Jimmy managed to break into the compound, hidden under an auto parts store, where Verity located a strange business card emblazoned only with an "M" before a security failsafe dosed the pair with knock-out gas. {{storylink|Escalation issue 4|Escalation #4}} Ironhide and Ratchet penetrated the facility {{storylink|Escalation issue 5|Escalation #5}} and safely extracted the pair, but the facility's self-destruct them went off, severely damaging Ironhide. {{storylink|Escalation issue 6|Escalation #6}}

Returning to the ''Ark-19'', {{storylink|Spotlight: Galvatron}} Verity handed the "M" card off to Autobot detective [[Nightbeat (G1)|Nightbeat]], whose studies of both it and the stolen palmtop prompted him to recommend the relocation of ''[[Ark-19]]''. Verity and Jimmy found themselves shut out of the discussion, blown off and given vague answers when they tried to get some answers about the search for Hunter from [[Jazz (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Jazz]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 1|Devastation #1}} Unfortunately, the vessel was shot down in mid-transit by [[Sixshot]]; Ratchet, Verity and Jimmy ejected in an escape pod before the crash. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2|Devastation #2}} Verity was injured by Sixshot's attack, but Ratchet's [[holomatter|avatar]] was able to treat her wounds. Sixshot located the Autobot and his human guests and gave chase, forcing Ratchet to separate from the humans for their own protection. {{storylink|Devastation issue 3|Devastation #3}} [[File:Hunter reunion.jpg|upright=1.4|left|thumb|After all you've been through Hunter, couldn't they fix your hair?]] As the other Autobots arrived and battled Sixshot, Verity and Jimmy tried to explain the situation of local law enforcement, who understandably didn't believe her. The officers' chatter revealed plans for an all-out airstrike on the warring parties, so the two humans stole a motorboat and police megaphone and used them to warn Ratchet of the incoming strike. With seconds to spare, Ratchet took the two humans along with him as the Autobots escaped via [[Orbital jump|orbital bounce]] to the orbiting ''[[Ark-32]]'', but the process was too traumatic for them to endure, causing their vital signs to cease. {{storylink|Devastation issue 4|Devastation #4}} Ratchet managed to restart their hearts after a dangerously long flatline, {{storylink|Devastation issue 5|Devastation #5}} and the pair remained aboard the ''Ark-32'' to recuperate as it left orbit for [[Garrus-9]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 6|Devastation #6}} A short time later, the hale and hearty Verity and Jimmy were reunited with Hunter after he was rescued from the Machination. {{storylink|Maximum Dinobots issue 5|Maximum Dinobots #5}}

The happy reunion, sadly, was not to last. Always running from others, Verity stowed herself away aboard [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Ultra Magnus]]'s spaceship as he left to take the captive [[Shockwave (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Shockwave]], [[Scorponok (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Scorponok]], and [[Grimlock (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Grimlock]] to Garrus-9, leaving a note for Hunter and Jimmy to explain her departure. {{storylink|In Word and Deed}} Once her presence on the ship was revealed to Magnus, she worked hard to prove her value to him, performing many important bridge duties and even acquiring a suit of powered armor for herself. She felt close to her "Uncle Magnus," though the only outward sign of affection he showed her was ''not'' immediately taking her right back to Earth.{{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers-Verity.jpg|right|thumb|upright=2|Transformers meets Dresden Codak.]]

About three years after Verity left Earth, she and Magnus were called in to transport the Autobot commando unit known as the [[Wrecker]]s on a mission to the prison planet of [[Garrus-9]], control of which had been seized by the Decepticon sadist [[Overlord (Masterforce)|Overlord]]. The new batch of rookie team members were taken aback by her presence; [[Rotorstorm (G1)|Rotorstorm]] assumed Magnus kept her around because she was a "good cleaner," leading Verity to mock his "cyber-sexism." {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|Last Stand of the Wreckers #1}} As the ship neared Garrus-9, Verity overheard Magnus informing [[Springer (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Springer]] that, once the Wreckers had been dropped off, he would be heading to Earth in response to a summons from [[Prowl (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Prowl]]. Refusing to return to the world she had willingly left behind, Verity stowed away in one of the drop-pods with the Wreckers, preferring to join them on their deadly mission. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|Last Stand of the Wreckers #2}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers3-Verity.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.5]]
Verity and the Wreckers' pods crash-landed directly in front of Overlord, who immediately killed Rotorstorm. At [[Perceptor (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Perceptor]]'s instruction, [[Pyro (G1)|Pyro]] bundled Verity into his chest cavity to keep her safe, but quickly forgot she was in there as the Wreckers fought to escape. Twisted up and unable to get his attention, Verity could do little but be carried along for the ride until the team arrived at their objective: the chamber containing the adjudication computer, [[Aequitas]]. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 3|Last Stand of the Wreckers #3}} While Perceptor worked to bring the computer online, Verity asked Wreckers historian and fanboy [[Ironfist (G1)|Ironfist]] to tell her a story to keep her mind occupied; he told her of the Wreckers' victory over their enemies [[Squadron X]] on [[Pova]]. Soon, it was revealed that Aequitas could only be unlocked by the willing donation of a [[spark]]—a dilemma that earned Pyro Verity's scorn when he voiced his belief that Ironfist should be the one to sacrifice himself, since Pyro had done too many "great things" to die that way. However, the issue was decided when [[Topspin (G1)|Topspin]] stepped up and sacrificed himself to give him and his branched-spark brother [[Twin Twist]] a dignified death. As Verity mourned Topspin's death, Ironfist downloaded the contents of Aequitas into his brain. Soon after he completed the task, a new problem presented itself: The Decepticons were burning down the door to the chamber, and the only way to stop them was to use Aequitas to detonate the [[deterrence chip]] inside the head of every prisoner at G-9, which included Impactor. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 4|Last Stand of the Wreckers #4}}

[[File:LastStandoftheWreckers5- Ironfistaneurism.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.25|Perceptor's liposuction skills left much to be desired.]]

Though the others voted in favour of the move, Verity vigorously argued against it was able to convince Perceptor not to go through with it. Instead, Pyro volunteered to sacrifice himself, buying precious time for the others to run free. They made it outside and joined Springer against Overlord, causing the Phase Sixer tremendous damage...but he still kept coming. In the end, it was Verity who delivered the most crushing blow of all against Overlord when she told him that Megatron—who Overlord had rebelled against, and had spent his life obsessing over—was already dead, having never even spared Overlord a second thought. The beating Impactor subsequently gave Overlord was hardly necessary; Verity's revelation had defeated him in spirit.

The surviving Wreckers were collected by Ultra Magnus, who took them to Earth to deliver the Aqueitas data to Prowl. Alas, on the way there, Ironfist perished, the borrowed time he had been living on since one of his own [[Cerebro-sensitive bullet|cerebro-centric bullets]], which had been making its way through his head since before the mission even began, finally running out. Emotionally devastated, Verity returned to "normal" life on Earth as best she could, penning a final volume of ''[[Wreckers: Declassified]]'' for Ironfist, number 332 in a 4-issue limited series. {{storylink|Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 5|Last Stand of the Wreckers #5}} [[File:LSotW-InWordAndDeed.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.5]] She still had one last thing to remember Ironfist by: a second backup he took of the Aequitas trials, secretly given to her for safe-keeping. {{storylink|In Word and Deed}} Stakeout, one of Magnus' allies in the Tyrest Accord, guarded her and the two became friends. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|Sins of the Wreckers #1}} {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 2|Sins of the Wreckers #2}}

[[File:MtMtE13-VerityMagnus.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|Admit it, you "aww"ed a little here.]]
Verity left an impression on the memories of many. Though he had never been outwardly warm to her, Ultra Magnus had genuinely considered her a friend, and used her likeness for his [[holomatter]] avatar. {{storylink|Cybertronian Homesick Blues}} {{storylink|Twenty Plus One}} Overlord remembered her well, as [[Chromedome (G1)|Chromedome]] saw when he used his [[mnemosurgery]] to view and edit the Decepticon's memories of his defeat. {{storylink|Remembrance Day}} And during his time spent opposing [[Onyx]] alongside [[Spike Witwicky (G1)|Spike Witwicky]], Jimmy Pink kept a picture of himself with Verity, Hunter, and Prowl to remind him of their adventures. {{storylink|Onyx Interface Part Two: Vs.|Vs.}}

[[File:SOTW1 verity illness.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.5]]
Several years passed, and Verity found herself growing sick. Tests conducted by Stakeout revealed that she was dying, due to "overexposure to intense energy of Cybertronian origin." {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}} Proximity to Tranformers only made the pain worse, so Stakeout abandoned Verity for her own safety. On her own once again, Verity headed north to [[Nome]], [[Alaska]], hoping to fulfill a lifelong dream to see the Aurora Borealis before she died. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 2|Sins of the Wreckers #2}} Scared and alone, Verity desperately felt the need to regain some measure of control in her life, and saw a chance to do so in the Aequitas data back-up. She and Ironfist had intended to expose Prowl with it, but instead, she used the data for blackmail, sending Prowl a threatening message in the hope that he would cut a deal with her, exchanging the information for life-saving treatment. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}} Prowl teleported to Earth to meet with her, but upon arrival was abducted by the mad scientist [[Tarantulas (BW)|Tarantulas]], creator of Aequitas, and an old ally of Prowl's who sought revenge for a past betrayal. Tarantulas's [[Chimeracon]] muscle, disguised as normal animals, hunted Verity across the frozen landscape in order to obtain the Aequitas data from her; she was nearly caught by [[Polar Claw]] until a repentant Stakeout arrived to save her. The pair were soon confronted by [[Arcee (G1)/2005 IDW continuity|Arcee]] and the Wreckers, who had come to solve the mystery of Prowl's disappearance. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 1|Sins of the Wreckers #1}}

[[File:SOTW3 verity noisemaze.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.75]]
As the big 'bots talked, Verity and Stakeout reconciled, which resulted in Verity letting her guard down just enough for [[Stampy (BWN)|a Chimeracon rabbit]] to snatch the Aequitas data slug. Stakeout gave chase, running into the larger Chimeracon forces, and the Wreckers soon headed out to back him up. En route, Verity attempted to tell Springer about her condition, but they were attacked by Chimeracon leader [[Carnivac (G1)|Carnivac]] before she could finish. As battle broke out, Verity, Arcee, Springer, [[Hubcap (G1)|Hubcap]], and [[Roadbuster (G1)|Roadbuster]] made their way inside the body of the largest Chimeracon, [[Tidal Wave (G1)|Tidal Wave]], {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 2|Sins of the Wreckers #2}} and used the portal built inside him to transport themselves to Tarantulas's secret base, the pocket dimension known as the [[Noisemaze]]. Though unaffected by the deleterious effects of the maze on Cybertronian senses, Verity was captured along with her disoriented comrades by the traitor Hubcap and handed over to Tarantulas for study. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 3|Sins of the Wreckers #3}}

Tarantulas discovered that it was not merely day-to-day contact with Transformers that had caused Verity to become sick; it was, in fact, the burst of energy released by Aequitas during Ironfist's download of its data. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}} [[File:SOTW5 northern lights.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.75]] Purely to score imaginary points by proving himself Prowl's superior, Tarantulas healed Verity's illness, {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}} then held her prisoner as he subjected the others to his new guilt-extracting computer, [[Impetus]]. As Tarantulas grew more manic in his plan to ruin Prowl by releasing the Aequitas data, Hubcap finally had second thoughts and release Verity and the others, who quickly made their way to the heart of Tarantulas's base, the [[Tor]], in order to destroy it. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 4|Sins of the Wreckers #4}} While Arcee and Springer kept Tarantulas busy, Verity and Prowl recovered the Tor's crystalline power source, [[Obtenteum]], and saw that it was forcibly fed to Tidal Wave, triggering an energy overload that caused the entire Noisemaze to implode.

In the wake of Tarantulas's defeat, now with her whole life ahead of her once again, Verity returned to Earth with Springer and finally got the chance to see the Northern Lights. {{storylink|Sins of the Wreckers issue 5|Sins of the Wreckers #5}}

Verity and Springer hid out in a barn for two years, then left after Springer—shocked by [[Schismatic|the death of Kup]]—decided to meet up with Impactor. But on their way to the meeting, they were attacked by Decepticons who abducted Springer. Pursuing them, Verity came across what seemed to be a political rally by "Megan Guiglione," who turned out to be Overlord in disguise. Overlord kidnapped Verity, telling her he had never forgiven her for ending his fantasies of revenge against Megatron. He also introduced her to his new partner: Tarantulas! The two of them were working on a time travel experiment, though the partnership was tense and bitter, for which Verity teased them. Then Overlord announced that he was abandoning the original terms of their partnership in order to use the time machine to assassinate Megatron, for which Verity teased him some more. Overlord killed Tarantulas, and then Verity and Springer were able to defeat Overlord by using the time machine to send his disconnected vehicle halves into different eras. While interfacing with Tarantulas' computers, Verity also located the secret bank account for "Megan Guiglione"'s speaking tour; feeling personally owed for all the troubles the Cybertronian war had caused her, she wired the entire campaign fund, over $17 million, to herself. Verity then complied with Springer's final wish and helped send him back into the distant past so he could try to prevent the war from starting. And now the war was over at last for Verity Carlo, who for the first time in years headed back to her mother's home; Verity tearfully offered a greeting card "For my mother," and was accepted back. {{storylink|Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers}}

{{-}}

==Notes==
[[File:I am Optimus Prime-Verity Lookalike.jpg|thumb|She's much cuter without all the angst!]]
*[[:File:Infiltration3-VerityMeetsBumblebee.jpg|Verity likes Volkswagen Beetles]].
*In ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers|Last Stand of the Wreckers]]'' [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 1|#1]], Verity sports a small green alien head tattoo on the back of her right shoulder, in memory of her late friend [[Hunter O'Nion]], who wore an "Alien Death Ray" shirt with a similar head on it throughout ''[[The Transformers: Infiltration|Infiltration]]''.
*In ''Last Stand of the Wreckers'' [[Last Stand of the Wreckers issue 2|#2]], Verity is seen having a photo of herself, [[Hunter O'Nion]] and [[Jimmy Pink]] in their ''Infiltration''-era clothes, acting goofy. One could say they never really had time to have such a picture taken, but the Autobots ''did'' have a camera trained on them while they had the three in custody.
*Verity's middle name, as established in ''[[Transformers: Requiem of the Wreckers|Requiem of the Wreckers]]'' is "Simone" because [[Simon Furman|of course]].
*The children's storybook "[[I Am Optimus Prime (Robot Heroes)|I Am Optimus Prime]]" features a human ally to the Autobots based on Verity. Likewise, the two male human allies in the story are based on Hunter O'Nion and Jimmy Pink.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Verity Carlo''' (ベリティ・カルロ<ref>Japanese reprint of ''[[The Transformers: Last Stand of the Wreckers]]''.</ref> ''Beriti Karuro'')

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carlo, Verity}}
[[Category:Comic-only humans]]
[[Category:IDW (2005) humans]]
[[Category:Wreckers]]

Sparkplug (Armada)

2019-10-31T17:29:49Z

Thatmaskedman: /* Notes */ Small changes to grammar and punctuation for clarity

{{faction|minicon|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Sparkplug}}
:''Sparkplug is a [[Autobot]]-allied [[Mini-Con]] from the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Sparkplug-AR-DVD.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAAAAY!]]

'''Sparkplug''' is a good-natured, energetic young [[Mini-Con]] who through the fates of war has become partnered with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], leader of the [[Autobot]]s. Through this and his heroic actions, he's become something of a leader to his fellow Mini-Cons. He is also one of the few Mini-Cons to advocate siding with the Autobots. While most Mini-Cons view the differences between the Autobots and the [[Decepticon]]s with apathy at best, Sparkplug is firmly aware of what those differences mean to Mini-Cons. He's seen the way [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] treats [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] compared to the way Optimus Prime treats him. Given the choice, Sparkplug gladly prefers the Autobots.

==Fiction==
===Toy pack-in comics===
[[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] set up a false distress signal from Sparkplug that the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] detected. They reported it to [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]] leader ordered them to wait till they had backup. Impatient, Mini-Cons set out on their own. After they cut off contact, Sparkplug walked out of the repair room, helping Optimus Prime realize the distress signal was a trap. {{Storylink|Armada Volume 3}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[File:Comradesparkplug.jpg|left|upright=1.15|thumb]]
Millions of years ago, Sparkplug was one of the Mini-Cons who formed an alliance with the Autobots against the Decepticons to prevent their power from being corrupted by Megatron. He became the personal partner of Optimus Prime up until the point when the Mini-Cons fled Cybertron. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

Soon after arriving on [[Earth]], both the Autobots and Decepticons detected a Mini-Con signal located in the [[Grand Canyon|<s>Grand</s> Big Canyon]]. The Autobots were at a considerable disadvantage during the inevitable confrontation due to the Decepticon strength in numbers and the fact they had to protect their human passengers. But with the help of the kids, Optimus Prime managed to find the Mini-Con panel, whose occupant turned out to be Sparkplug, Optimus Prime's old Mini-Con ally and friend. Together, they [[powerlinx]]ed, activating Optimus's powerful Maximum Blast, which sent the Decepticons into retreat. {{storylink|Comrade}}
[[File:Carnival Sparkplug.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Sparkplug, Decepticons have red eyes!]]
After being rescued, Sparkplug was seen hanging around the Autobot base with [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]]. He joined them on a mission to Antarctica to search for another Mini-Con panel, where he operated from Optimus Prime's command base. {{storylink|Soldier (episode)|Soldier}} While exploring a forest for other Mini-Cons, Optimus Prime left Sparkplug to guard his trailer. Later when the trailer was needed to stop a forest fire, Sparkplug took command of the container by powerlinxing with it in vehicle mode and operating the vehicle by remote control. He helped convert the container into a hydro-pump to put out the blaze. {{storylink|Jungle}}
[[File:Carnival sparkplug and sazae.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|Behold... the world's ugliest woman!]]
When Sparkplug saw [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] sneaking off to the carnival with their Mini-Cons, he decided to tell [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] and [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]] and go have some fun too. The Mini-Cons stole the show at the carnival, participating in the parade and draws "ooohs" and "aaahs" from the crowd. They also drew the attention of [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] and [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]], however, leading to a hilarious chase scene as Sparkplug and the others tried to avoid the brats. {{storylink|Carnival}}

After Cyclonus kidnapped Billy and Fred, the Autobots were reluctantly prepared to turn over Sparkplug and the other Mini-Cons to [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. When the Decepticons broke the deal, however, the Autobots managed to recover both the kids and the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Confrontation (episode)|Confrontation}}

As Rad began to learn more about the Mini-Cons, he started to question whether they should be forced to fight in a war not of their making. Almost as if in answer to his concerns, Sparkplug and the other Mini-Cons took up arms in the next conflict, showing valor and courage on the battlefield that made it clear they were fighting for what they believed in, just like the Autobots and the kids. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

When the Decepticons stormed the Autobot headquarters, Sparkplug helped man the internal defense systems to drive off the invaders. {{storylink|Swoop (episode)|Swoop}}

After the Decepticons acquired the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], Sparkplug was seen applying some much needed repairs to Optimus Prime at the Autobot base. He later drove the Combat Deck into battle, allowing Prime to combine with it and him to form their powerlinxed Super Mode and unleash a Maximum Blast. {{storylink|Conspiracy}}

Sparkplug stood in front of Optimus Prime to protect him from [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. He then '''spoke English''' and summoned the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] for Optimus to use to fend off Megatron. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}}

After the acquisition of the [[Space Mini-Con Team]], the Autobots were debating how best to use their combined form, the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]], to defeat the Decepticons. Optimus Prime sent Sparkplug to retrieve the Mini-Cons for their input in the discussion. Sparkplug somehow managed to search the entire base in a matter of seconds, then returned bleeping wildly about how the Space Team was gone. {{storylink|Runaway}}

Sparkplug was with Optimus Prime in space when he engaged in a solo mission to stop the Decepticon [[Hydra Cannon]] from destroying the Earth. Optimus was destroyed in his efforts to save the planet, leaving behind only Sparkplug and the [[Matrix of Leadership]], floating in space until [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] managed to retrieve them. {{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}} Sparkplug kept possession of the Matrix after that, and was often seen clutching it as a memento of his fallen partner. He briefly handed it off to Jetfire, who presented the Matrix to Hot Shot as the new Autobot leader. When Hot Shot declined the Matrix, however, it was returned to Sparkplug. {{storylink|Remorse}}

Sparkplug and the Mini-Cons all chose to willingly follow the Autobots into space aboard the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]'', and Sparkplug was seen helping to load the vessel before departure. {{storylink|Depart}}

Out in space, the Autobots were confronted by the Decepticons, and were quickly being overwhelmed by the awesome weapons Megatron had in his possession. Even the assistance of the Mini-Cons wasn't enough to turn the tide. Sparkplug then carried the Matrix out onto the deck and, with [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]]'s assistance, called upon his fellow Mini-Cons to lend him their strength. One by one, the energized Mini-Cons around him passed into the Matrix, combining their power to resurrect Optimus Prime, good as new. Thrilled at the return of his comrade, Sparkplug powerlinx with his partner once more, unleashing a master blast that drove off Megatron and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Miracle}} {{storylink|Puppet}}

====Linkage====
Sparkplug and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] appeared as holograms to tell [[Redline]] and his group that they were leaving Earth for Cybertron with the Autobots. {{storylink|Linkage Part 12}}

====Force of Habit====
With the [[Unicron Singularity]] forcing the evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Sparkplug and a number of Autobot leaders were summoned to the ''[[Iron Hope (Cybertron)|Iron Hope]]'', where [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]] dispatched them across the galaxy to locate the lost Autobot colony worlds. Sparkplug was given command of the ''[[Valiant (Cybertron)|Valiant]]'' and sent to the [[Betelgeuse]] region. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
Before the war, Sparkplug resided in [[Mini-Con Sector|Mini-Con Village C52]]. When the Decepticons attacked, he miraculously avoided capture by [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], but was left lying unconscious near the village. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 1|Armada #1}} Sparkplug was found by the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] and brought to their base in the [[Garbage Disposal District]], where they removed a tracking device placed on him by Demolishor. He was surprised to learn that the Air Defense Team planned to rescue their Mini-Con brethren from their initial imprisonment by the Decepticons, then aided them in their quest (by reluctantly getting strapped to a [[jet pack|rocket pack]] by [[Runway (Armada)|Runway]] and drawing fire from the [[Decepticon Headquarters (Armada)|Decepticon base]]'s laser-based security system). The mission was a success, and Sparkplug and the rest of the Mini-Cons boarded a [[Exodus (Armada)|spaceship]] and blasted off in search for freedom. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 2|Armada #2}} {{storylink|Armada Free Comic Book Day}}

Unfortunately, the ship malfunctioned, broke up and crashed on [[Earth]]. One million years later, Sparkplug was awakened alongside [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]], and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] when [[Rad White]] stumbled into the wreckage of their ship. After using [[Carlos Lopez]]'s tools to repair themselves and build a [[Project Supernova|hovercraft]], the four Mini-Cons began to search for their lost brethren on Earth. Sparkplug asked Rad and his friends to be their "tour guides" on this alien planet, which they happily agreed to. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 3|Armada #3}} However, their fun and games with the humans quickly came to a stop when [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] tracked the Mini-Cons to Earth. After explaining their past to their human friends, Sparkplug and the Street Action Team then scanned new [[alternate mode]]s and made a run for it, eventually encountering the Autobots. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 4|Armada #4}} They watched [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron talk trash about each other for a while before attempting to sneak away, but ended up captured by Demolishor. They were soon saved by another group of Mini-Cons, who helped drive the Decepticons away. In the aftermath, Sparkplug and Optimus Prime agreed to join forces against Megatron. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 5|Armada #5}}

Some time later, Sparkplug caught an emergency transmission from the Air Defense Team, who had been captured by the Decepticons. Fearful that Megatron might try to combine the three and unlock power beyond imagination, Sparkplug begged Optimus Prime to let them sneak into the Decepticon base and save the Air Defense Team, but the Autobot leader refused. However, the Mini-Cons were fed up with the Autobots telling them what to do, and went through with the plan anyway. Alongside [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] and [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], Sparkplug infiltrated the Decepticon base... and was immediately discovered by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. As the Decepticon tried to capture them, he ended up causing the roof to collapse on everyone. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 6|Armada #6}} Trapped under rubble, Sparkplug began to despair that it was all his fault for not listening to Optimus Prime, but he and the others were soon saved by the [[Land Military Mini-Con Team]]. Megatron had managed to combine the Air Defense Team into the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], so Sparkplug hurried back to the Autobot base and powerlinxed with Optimus Prime, granting him the power needed to stand up to Megatron. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 7|Armada #7}} The alliance between the Mini-Cons and Autobots continued to bother Sparkplug, who felt that he and his people were just being used rather than have any say in things. One day, he and the rest of the Mini-Cons on Earth were compelled to mindlessly travel to a strange [[Mini-Con Ark|monolith]] in [[Kansas]]. Upon entering the structure, it turned out to be a spaceship that took them to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 8|Armada #8}}

They found themselves on a [[Mini-Con Moonbase|a moonbase]], where [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]] explained to Sparkplug, Runway and [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] that he had summoned them to his fortress base so that they could all live in peace away from the Autobots and Decepticons. Sparkplug was not happy that Dualor had forced them all to come without giving them a choice in the matter, but before they could take it any further, the moonbase came under attack from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9|Armada #9}} He was returned to his friends, to whom he explained that he couldn't join someone like Dualor who just took what he wanted without asking. In the end, the point was moot, as the Decepticons broke into the base. Sparkplug tried to keep Leader-1 from returning to them, but was dissuaded from it by [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 10|Armada #10}} Mirage explained that Dualor had placed Rad in one of the moonbase's orbital mines in order to keep the Autobots away, and that he and Sparkplug had to save him. They succeeded after convincing the [[Space Mini-Con Team]] to help, which Sparkplug did via a speech about how you should make the world a better place instead of run away from everything. He then boarded an escape pod and returned to Earth. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 11|Armada #11}}
[[File:DWArmada13 Autobots Mini-Cons.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Yes-ee!]]
Having changed his mind in regards to the Autobots, Sparkplug tried to convince [[Astroscope]] and the other Mini-Cons from the moonbase to join them as well. Unfortunately, at that moment, Optimus Prime decided to deal with Decepticon problems rather than save a Mini-Con escape pod lost in [[Alaska]], so a dejected Astroscope left. Sparkplug pleaded with Prime to change his mind and give the Mini-Cons a reason to stay, and eventually succeeded. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} He then came with the Autobots on their mission to Alaska, located and bringing back an injured [[Iceberg]]. As the Autobots were getting their afts handed to them by Cyclonus, who'd been overloaded with power the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]], Optimus Prime requested that Sparkplug to powerlinx with him and give him ''all'' his power. Sparkplug was hesitant, saying that there was a good reason behind the Mini-Cons' [[safety interlock]]s, but complied with Prime's demands and allowed him to defeat Cyclonus with a mighty punch. In the aftermath, Optimus confronted Sparkplug, asking why he'd held power back even though the two trusted each other. Sparkplug explained the lore about their power and that it could either save or destroy the universe, only to discover Optimus had mysteriously vanished. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}}

Sparkplug returned to the Autobot base, where a different [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had suddenly appeared. This other Optimus warned everyone present that "chaos was coming" before passing away. Adding to these strange events, Sparkplug detected traces of an interdimensional anomaly in [[Big Sur National Park]], and he and several others went to investigate. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} They ended up finding [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]], a Mini-Con from another dimension, and Sparkplug agreed to help him find his lost [[null-reality pod]]s, which could be used to find their Optimus Prime. Alongside Over-Run, Mirage, Astroscope, High Wire and [[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]], Sparkplug returned to the Decepticon base at [[Silver Ridge]] in search of the pods. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} While they found what they were looking for, they ended up having to hide from several unknown enemies whom Over-Run said to be [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} After the Heralds left, the Sparkplug was given a null-reality pod as the "optimum combination of Mini-Con energy" was needed to bring Optimus Prime back safely. They found Prime on an alternate [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] on the verge of being eaten by [[Unicron]], and Sparkplug immediately powerlinxed with him. After changing colors thanks to Over-Run adding to their power with the [[Mini-Con Matrix]], Sparkplug and the others returned to their own dimension. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

As Unicron now targeted their reality's Cybertron, all the Mini-Cons on Earth gathered together to fight the planet eater. After introducing them all to Over-Run, Sparkplug returned Cybertron and powerlinxed with Optimus Prime, who combined with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and did battle with Unicron. The monster was ultimately defeated, and Sparkplug happily watched the cheering crowds and fireworks that accompanied the beginning of a new era of peace on Cybertron. {{storylink|The End}}

===Panini ''Armada'' comic===
Back on Cybertron, Sparkplug enjoyed watching [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] perform "extraordinary feats", such as lifting heavy metal crates. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 3|Just a Memory!}} When the Decepticons first began capturing Mini-Cons, Sparkplug attended a meeting where [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]] proposed a plan to assassinate [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. They would lure him to the [[Autobot Command HQ]] with false information, then destroy the building with the Decepticon leader still inside. Sparkplug was the only one not in support of the plan, as he thought it was wrong to sacrifice many innocent Autobots just to stop the Decepticons. He went along with it at first, but as the plan neared fruition, he couldn't take it anymore and sent a warning [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. As the Autobots evacuated their headquarters, Megatron never entered it and the assassination failed. Dualor was furious, promising to punish whoever had betrayed them. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 9|Counter-Strike!}}

Eventually, the Mini-Cons just plain left both Autobots and Decepticons and took off into space, only to crash on [[Earth]] and go offline. Four million years later, they woke up thanks to [[Rad White]] and [[Carlos Lopez]]. {{storylink|First Encounter!}} Within minutes, the Autobots and Decepticons had found them again, and Sparkplug voiced his opinion that their lives were a "never-ending, waking nightmare". Rad asked the Mini-Cons to help the Autobots, but they refused, as things would only worsen if they got involved again. The human just told them that running away doesn't solve anything, and went off to save the Autobots himself. Realizing that he was right, Sparkplug joined the Autobots and power-linked with Optimus Prime, giving him the power to drive Megatron away. {{storylink|Friends and Foes!}}

The Autobots decided that the best way to keep the Mini-Cons out of Megatron's hands was to send them back to Cybertron. Sparkplug was hesitant about this idea, knowing full well that the war was still raging on their home planet, but said his goodbyes to Rad and his friends. When the Decepticons showed up to put a stop to their plans, Sparkplug hid while Rad tried to trick Megatron that the Mini-Cons were already gone. As Megatron made it clear that he'd just hunt for other Mini-Cons on Earth instead, Sparkplug realized that they had to stay behind as well and fight the Decepticons. He linked himself to Optimus Prime again, but the Decepticons fled before the fight could even begin. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|No Way Back!}} Later, Sparkplug had the brilliant idea of infiltrating the Decepticons' [[Silver Ridge]] headquarters and freeing their captured Mini-Cons. Taking [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]] and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] with him, he successfully got past the Decepticons' security measures and reached the Mini-Cons... only to be grabbed by [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]], who would rather be rewarded by Megatron for capturing the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons. Sparkplug was saved by Jolt and Longarm and made his way outside, where he wondered if the Leader-1 and the rest had been corrupted, or if they just had been jerks all along. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|Into the Lions' Den!}}

When dormant Mini-Cons were discovered on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], Sparkplug created a probe to fly up there and activate them. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 6|Between Two Worlds!}} Their lunar problems continued when the Decepticons prepared to fire missiles at the Autobots from the Moon. Sparkplug thought of a plan to give the Autobots some time by surrendering himself and the other Mini-Cons to the Decepticons. They were subsequently imprisoned on board a [[solar barge]] and taken towards the Moon. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Earthshaker!}} After breaking out of their cells using [[intratools]], Sparkplug and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] used [[magno-clamp]]s to walk on the barge's outside and disconnecting it from [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. Unfortunately, cutting the connection cable caused it to whip Sparkplug into the void of space, but he was quickly saved by Jolt. The Mini-Cons then returned to Earth safely. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Lost in Space!}}

===The Balance of Power===
Before the Mini-Cons' exodus from Cybertron, Sparkplug left behind an artifact, encoded with a message addressed to whomever might find it. In this message, Sparkplug explained the Mini-Cons' reason for leaving behind their homeworld, and provided the coordinates to the Mini-Cons' hiding place. The artifact was discovered by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] during a battle deep in Decepticon territory. After Sparkplug's message played, a portal opened to the planet Earth, and the Autobots and Decepticons traveled to this new world to begin their search for the Mini-Cons in earnest. {{storylink|The Balance of Power}}
{{note|This comic was written as a tie-in to the [[Transformers (PS2)|''Armada'' video game]], but its details differ from the introduction seen in the game itself. [[#PS2|See below]] for Sparkplug's role in the game.}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
In a celebration of the Transformers brand, Sparkplug showed up as one of the Mini-Con representatives for the "Unicron Trilogy" era of the franchise. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Transformers Legends'' comic===
Prime Super Mode was among the Mini-Cons stolen by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] in the [[Legends Universe]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Armada Megatron)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

==Games==
===''Transformers'' (PS2)===
He is Optimus Prime's Mini-Con partner. You can run him over! {{storylink|Transformers (PS2)|Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[File:Arm-toy Sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I look like [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], but my name is [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]. Some people think I look like [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], but pretty much everyone calls me [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]].''(Hasbro Version Pictured)'']]
[[File:Prime Japanese toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The Japanese call me [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], but the Polish call me Leaderus. I call myself confused. ''(Takara Version Pictured)'']]
* '''Optimus Prime with Sparkplug''' (Super, 2002/2003)
** ''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MC-01'''

: Sparkplug transforms into a Lamborghini Diablo sports car. His robot mode bears a passing resemblance to the [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Autobot]] [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s cartoon model. He was only available with his larger partner [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]]. The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] release made a minor change to Sparkplug's deco, giving him medium-gray windows rather than the dark purple of the [[Hasbro]] version.

: This mold was redecoed to make [[Atlas (MD)|Atlas]] and [[Drop-Test|Rod]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Mini-Con/Sparkplug/sparkplug.htm More information on Sparkplug at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|Green}}
* '''Prime Super Mode''' (Mini-Con, 2003)
[[File:Ran - A Sparkplug Repurpose.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|It ain't easy being green]]
: The August 2003 issue of ''TV-kun'' magazine in Japan included a special promotional "powered up" [[redeco]] of the Sparkplug toy in green. Also included was a little cardboard roadway and punch-out "targets" of various Decepticons for him to knock over.
: According to the brief ''Transformers'' section of the magazine, Sparkplug takes on this coloration when the other Mini-Cons give him their strength. When Powerlinxed to Super Optimus Prime in this mode, he causes Prime's cannon to fire a powerful energy blast that takes the shape of Sparkplug's robot mode.
:This toy would eventually be repurposed into a new character, [[Rán]], by [[Ask Vector Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/GreenPrime/prime.htm More information on Super Mode Sparkplug at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Corona}}
[[File:Arm-toy SparkplugCorona.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Na-na-na-na-na, my Corona!]]
* '''Powerlinx Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug''' (Super, 2003)

: For the "Powerlinx" redeco of Optimus Prime, the original Sparkplug was [[retool]]ed into a Cybertronian sports car with roof-lights and given a gold-chrome finish. (This finish seems to be a lot more durable than the chrome found on the [[Transmetal]] toys, being very resistant to flaking.) It is the only part of the set that was retooled, possibly because the yellow parts of Sparkplug are on their own mold tree (i.e., there are no other yellow-plastic parts to Super Optimus Prime), meaning an easy change to make.

: This mold was used to make [[Chrome]], [[Synapse (SL)|Synapse]], and [[Road Rebel|Thyristor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Mini-Con/Sparkplug/sparkplug.htm More information on Corona Sparkplug at TFU.info].

{{-}}{{anchor|KMart}}
*'''Battle for the Matrix''' (Multi-pack, 2003)

: Released on "[[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]" (the day after Thanksgiving), this K-Mart store [[exclusive]] bundled together Super Optimus Prime, Sparkplug, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], [[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]], the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]], and (oddly enough) [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]]. This release of Sparkplug is identical to the original; out of the entire set, only Optimus received a deco change.
{{-}}

===Built to Rule!===
[[File:BTR-toy Sparkplug.jpg|right|thumb|300px|T-pose to assert dominance.]]
* '''Optimus Prime with Sparkplug''' (Built to Rule!, 2003)

: Available only in the large ''[[Built to Rule!]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Built to Rule!|Optimus Prime]] set, this version of Sparkplug is a building-block "figure" that partially transforms, partially gets rebuilt from robot to vehicle mode and back, and only partially looks like Sparkplug.

: His robot-mode head is mounted on a 2x2 plate that also serves as a [[Powerlinx]] port, allowing his vehicle mode to be attached to both the ''Built to Rule!'' Powerlinx-peg 2x2 plate, and any other Powerlinx or [[5 mm post]], though the grip is ''extremely'' tight on non-''BTR'' posts, plus it cannot activate any Powerlinx-activated gimmicks.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Mini-Con/BTRSparkplug/sparkplug.htm More information on Built to Rule! Sparkplug at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Energon===
*'''Overload with Rollout & Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug''' (Multi-pack, 2004)

: Part of a very large CostCo exclusive set during ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', Corona Sparkplug comes with extensively redecoed versions of ''Armada'' super-class Optimus Prime, [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], and [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]]. Despite the extensive color changes made to Optimus, Corona Sparkplug is identical to his normal ''Armada'' release.

==Notes==
* Sparkplug's robot mode design appears to be an homage to [[Bumblebee (G1)|G1 Bumblebee]]'s cartoon model, with a similar head, "pipe" biceps, hood-feet, and roof-chest. Well, that and being yellow. His own cartoon model kind of downplays the similarity of the noggin. The [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comic changed his head design practically every issue, with some being more Bumblebee-esque than others. Some people think he looks like Sunstreaker due to his exotic car mode and his roof chest.
* Due to bad American dubbing of ''Armada'', Sparkplug has been called Leader-1 several times through the course of the series. In fact, during the first episode he appeared in, EVERYONE was calling him Leader-1. Talk about an identity crisis.
* The Hungarian dub of the show messed up Sparkplug's naming situation even further. The first occasion when his actual name (Szikra) is uttered happens around episode 20, prior to which he had only been referred to either by the names of other Mini-Cons (even when the English dub used his correct name) or by no name at all. However, a couple of episodes after receiving his own name, [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] (who had been called Bütyök before) abruptly steals it from him, and keeps it for much of the show's remaining episodes. Thus viewers are left wondering just ''who'' this little yellow dude is supposed to be.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Prime''' (プライム ''Puraimu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Szikra''' ("Spark")
*''Korean:'' '''Prime''' (프라임 ''Peuraim'')
*''Polish:'' '''Liderus''' ("Leaderus")

==External links==
*[http://tfu.info/2002/Mini-Con/Sparkplug/sparkplug.htm Sparkplug at TFU.info.]

[[Category:Armada Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Built to Rule!]]
[[Category:Costco exclusives]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Energon Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Legends Mini-Cons]]

Sparkplug (Armada)

2019-10-31T17:20:10Z

Thatmaskedman: /* Armada cartoon */ punctuation fix

{{faction|minicon|autobot}}
{{disambig3|Sparkplug}}
:''Sparkplug is a [[Autobot]]-allied [[Mini-Con]] from the [[Transformers: Armada (franchise)|Armada]] portion of the [[Unicron Trilogy]] [[continuity family]].''
[[File:Sparkplug-AR-DVD.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAAAAY!]]

'''Sparkplug''' is a good-natured, energetic young [[Mini-Con]] who through the fates of war has become partnered with [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]], leader of the [[Autobot]]s. Through this and his heroic actions, he's become something of a leader to his fellow Mini-Cons. He is also one of the few Mini-Cons to advocate siding with the Autobots. While most Mini-Cons view the differences between the Autobots and the [[Decepticon]]s with apathy at best, Sparkplug is firmly aware of what those differences mean to Mini-Cons. He's seen the way [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] treats [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] compared to the way Optimus Prime treats him. Given the choice, Sparkplug gladly prefers the Autobots.

==Fiction==
===Toy pack-in comics===
[[Megatron (Armada)|Galvatron]] set up a false distress signal from Sparkplug that the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Mini-Con Team]] detected. They reported it to [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and the [[Autobot]] leader ordered them to wait till they had backup. Impatient, Mini-Cons set out on their own. After they cut off contact, Sparkplug walked out of the repair room, helping Optimus Prime realize the distress signal was a trap. {{Storylink|Armada Volume 3}}

===Cartoon continuity===
====''Armada'' cartoon====
[[File:Comradesparkplug.jpg|left|upright=1.15|thumb]]
Millions of years ago, Sparkplug was one of the Mini-Cons who formed an alliance with the Autobots against the Decepticons to prevent their power from being corrupted by Megatron. He became the personal partner of Optimus Prime up until the point when the Mini-Cons fled Cybertron. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

Soon after arriving on [[Earth]], both the Autobots and Decepticons detected a Mini-Con signal located in the [[Grand Canyon|<s>Grand</s> Big Canyon]]. The Autobots were at a considerable disadvantage during the inevitable confrontation due to the Decepticon strength in numbers and the fact they had to protect their human passengers. But with the help of the kids, Optimus Prime managed to find the Mini-Con panel, whose occupant turned out to be Sparkplug, Optimus Prime's old Mini-Con ally and friend. Together, they [[powerlinx]]ed, activating Optimus's powerful Maximum Blast, which sent the Decepticons into retreat. {{storylink|Comrade}}
[[File:Carnival Sparkplug.jpg|right|upright=1.1|thumb|Sparkplug, Decepticons have red eyes!]]
After being rescued, Sparkplug was seen hanging around the Autobot base with [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]]. He joined them on a mission to Antarctica to search for another Mini-Con panel, where he operated from Optimus Prime's command base. {{storylink|Soldier (episode)|Soldier}} While exploring a forest for other Mini-Cons, Optimus Prime left Sparkplug to guard his trailer. Later when the trailer was needed to stop a forest fire, Sparkplug took command of the container by powerlinxing with it in vehicle mode and operating the vehicle by remote control. He helped convert the container into a hydro-pump to put out the blaze. {{storylink|Jungle}}
[[File:Carnival sparkplug and sazae.jpg|left|upright=1.3|thumb|Behold... the world's ugliest woman!]]
When Sparkplug saw [[Rad White|Rad]] and [[Carlos Lopez|Carlos]] sneaking off to the carnival with their Mini-Cons, he decided to tell [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] and [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]] and go have some fun too. The Mini-Cons stole the show at the carnival, participating in the parade and draws "ooohs" and "aaahs" from the crowd. They also drew the attention of [[Fred (Armada)|Fred]] and [[Billy (Armada)|Billy]], however, leading to a hilarious chase scene as Sparkplug and the others tried to avoid the brats. {{storylink|Carnival}}

After Cyclonus kidnapped Billy and Fred, the Autobots were reluctantly prepared to turn over Sparkplug and the other Mini-Cons to [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. When the Decepticons broke the deal, however, the Autobots managed to recover both the kids and the Mini-Cons. {{storylink|Confrontation (episode)|Confrontation}}

As Rad began to learn more about the Mini-Cons, he started to question whether they should be forced to fight in a war not of their making. Almost as if in answer to his concerns, Sparkplug and the other Mini-Cons took up arms in the next conflict, showing valor and courage on the battlefield that made it clear they were fighting for what they believed in, just like the Autobots and the kids. {{storylink|Prehistory}}

When the Decepticons stormed the Autobot headquarters, Sparkplug helped man the internal defense systems to drive off the invaders. {{storylink|Swoop (episode)|Swoop}}

After the Decepticons acquired the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], Sparkplug was seen applying some much needed repairs to Optimus Prime at the Autobot base. He later drove the Combat Deck into battle, allowing Prime to combine with it and him to form their powerlinxed Super Mode and unleash a Maximum Blast. {{storylink|Conspiracy}}

Sparkplug stood in front of Optimus Prime to protect him from [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] and the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]]. He then '''spoke English''' and summoned the [[Skyboom (Armada)|Skyboom Shield]] for Optimus to use to fend off Megatron. {{storylink|Decisive Battle}}

After the acquisition of the [[Space Mini-Con Team]], the Autobots were debating how best to use their combined form, the [[Requiem Blaster (Armada)|Requiem Blaster]], to defeat the Decepticons. Optimus Prime sent Sparkplug to retrieve the Mini-Cons for their input in the discussion. Sparkplug somehow managed to search the entire base in a matter of seconds, then returned bleeping wildly about how the Space Team was gone. {{storylink|Runaway}}

Sparkplug was with Optimus Prime in space when he engaged in a solo mission to stop the Decepticon [[Hydra Cannon]] from destroying the Earth. Optimus was destroyed in his efforts to save the planet, leaving behind only Sparkplug and the [[Matrix of Leadership]], floating in space until [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] managed to retrieve them. {{storylink|Crisis (Armada)|Crisis}} Sparkplug kept possession of the Matrix after that, and was often seen clutching it as a memento of his fallen partner. He briefly handed it off to Jetfire, who presented the Matrix to Hot Shot as the new Autobot leader. When Hot Shot declined the Matrix, however, it was returned to Sparkplug. {{storylink|Remorse}}

Sparkplug and the Mini-Cons all chose to willingly follow the Autobots into space aboard the ''[[Axalon (Armada)|Axalon]]'', and Sparkplug was seen helping to load the vessel before departure. {{storylink|Depart}}

Out in space, the Autobots were confronted by the Decepticons, and were quickly being overwhelmed by the awesome weapons Megatron had in his possession. Even the assistance of the Mini-Cons wasn't enough to turn the tide. Sparkplug then carried the Matrix out onto the deck and, with [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]]'s assistance, called upon his fellow Mini-Cons to lend him their strength. One by one, the energized Mini-Cons around him passed into the Matrix, combining their power to resurrect Optimus Prime, good as new. Thrilled at the return of his comrade, Sparkplug powerlinx with his partner once more, unleashing a master blast that drove off Megatron and the Decepticons. {{storylink|Miracle}} {{storylink|Puppet}}

====Linkage====
Sparkplug and [[Perceptor (Armada)|Perceptor]] appeared as holograms to tell [[Redline]] and his group that they were leaving Earth for Cybertron with the Autobots. {{storylink|Linkage Part 12}}

====Force of Habit====
With the [[Unicron Singularity]] forcing the evacuation of [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]], Sparkplug and a number of Autobot leaders were summoned to the ''[[Iron Hope (Cybertron)|Iron Hope]]'', where [[Ultra Magnus (Energon)|Ultra Magnus]] dispatched them across the galaxy to locate the lost Autobot colony worlds. Sparkplug was given command of the ''[[Valiant (Cybertron)|Valiant]]'' and sent to the [[Betelgeuse]] region. {{storylink|Force of Habit}}

===Dreamwave ''Armada'' comic===
Before the war, Sparkplug resided in [[Mini-Con Sector|Mini-Con Village C52]]. When the Decepticons attacked, he miraculously avoided capture by [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]] and [[Demolishor (Armada)|Demolishor]], but was left lying unconscious near the village. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 1|Armada #1}} Sparkplug was found by the [[Air Defense Mini-Con Team (Armada)|Air Defense Team]] and brought to their base in the [[Garbage Disposal District]], where they removed a tracking device placed on him by Demolishor. He was surprised to learn that the Air Defense Team planned to rescue their Mini-Con brethren from their initial imprisonment by the Decepticons, then aided them in their quest (by reluctantly getting strapped to a [[jet pack|rocket pack]] by [[Runway (Armada)|Runway]] and drawing fire from the [[Decepticon Headquarters (Armada)|Decepticon base]]'s laser-based security system). The mission was a success, and Sparkplug and the rest of the Mini-Cons boarded a [[Exodus (Armada)|spaceship]] and blasted off in search for freedom. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 2|Armada #2}} {{storylink|Armada Free Comic Book Day}}

Unfortunately, the ship malfunctioned, broke up and crashed on [[Earth]]. One million years later, Sparkplug was awakened alongside [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]], [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]], and [[Sureshock (Armada)|Sureshock]] when [[Rad White]] stumbled into the wreckage of their ship. After using [[Carlos Lopez]]'s tools to repair themselves and build a [[Project Supernova|hovercraft]], the four Mini-Cons began to search for their lost brethren on Earth. Sparkplug asked Rad and his friends to be their "tour guides" on this alien planet, which they happily agreed to. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 3|Armada #3}} However, their fun and games with the humans quickly came to a stop when [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] tracked the Mini-Cons to Earth. After explaining their past to their human friends, Sparkplug and the Street Action Team then scanned new [[alternate mode]]s and made a run for it, eventually encountering the Autobots. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 4|Armada #4}} They watched [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and Megatron talk trash about each other for a while before attempting to sneak away, but ended up captured by Demolishor. They were soon saved by another group of Mini-Cons, who helped drive the Decepticons away. In the aftermath, Sparkplug and Optimus Prime agreed to join forces against Megatron. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 5|Armada #5}}

Some time later, Sparkplug caught an emergency transmission from the Air Defense Team, who had been captured by the Decepticons. Fearful that Megatron might try to combine the three and unlock power beyond imagination, Sparkplug begged Optimus Prime to let them sneak into the Decepticon base and save the Air Defense Team, but the Autobot leader refused. However, the Mini-Cons were fed up with the Autobots telling them what to do, and went through with the plan anyway. Alongside [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] and [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]], Sparkplug infiltrated the Decepticon base... and was immediately discovered by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]]. As the Decepticon tried to capture them, he ended up causing the roof to collapse on everyone. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 6|Armada #6}} Trapped under rubble, Sparkplug began to despair that it was all his fault for not listening to Optimus Prime, but he and the others were soon saved by the [[Land Military Mini-Con Team]]. Megatron had managed to combine the Air Defense Team into the [[Star Saber (Armada)|Star Saber]], so Sparkplug hurried back to the Autobot base and powerlinxed with Optimus Prime, granting him the power needed to stand up to Megatron. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 7|Armada #7}} The alliance between the Mini-Cons and Autobots continued to bother Sparkplug, who felt that he and his people were just being used rather than have any say in things. One day, he and the rest of the Mini-Cons on Earth were compelled to mindlessly travel to a strange [[Mini-Con Ark|monolith]] in [[Kansas]]. Upon entering the structure, it turned out to be a spaceship that took them to the [[Moon (moon)|Moon]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 8|Armada #8}}

They found themselves on a [[Mini-Con Moonbase|a moonbase]], where [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]] explained to Sparkplug, Runway and [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]] that he had summoned them to his fortress base so that they could all live in peace away from the Autobots and Decepticons. Sparkplug was not happy that Dualor had forced them all to come without giving them a choice in the matter, but before they could take it any further, the moonbase came under attack from the Decepticons. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 9|Armada #9}} He was returned to his friends, to whom he explained that he couldn't join someone like Dualor who just took what he wanted without asking. In the end, the point was moot, as the Decepticons broke into the base. Sparkplug tried to keep Leader-1 from returning to them, but was dissuaded from it by [[Mirage (Armada)|Mirage]]. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 10|Armada #10}} Mirage explained that Dualor had placed Rad in one of the moonbase's orbital mines in order to keep the Autobots away, and that he and Sparkplug had to save him. They succeeded after convincing the [[Space Mini-Con Team]] to help, which Sparkplug did via a speech about how you should make the world a better place instead of run away from everything. He then boarded an escape pod and returned to Earth. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 11|Armada #11}}
[[File:DWArmada13 Autobots Mini-Cons.jpg|left|upright=1.6|thumb|Yes-ee!]]
Having changed his mind in regards to the Autobots, Sparkplug tried to convince [[Astroscope]] and the other Mini-Cons from the moonbase to join them as well. Unfortunately, at that moment, Optimus Prime decided to deal with Decepticon problems rather than save a Mini-Con escape pod lost in [[Alaska]], so a dejected Astroscope left. Sparkplug pleaded with Prime to change his mind and give the Mini-Cons a reason to stay, and eventually succeeded. {{storylink|Fire & Ice}} He then came with the Autobots on their mission to Alaska, located and bringing back an injured [[Iceberg]]. As the Autobots were getting their afts handed to them by Cyclonus, who'd been overloaded with power the [[Destruction Mini-Con Team]], Optimus Prime requested that Sparkplug to powerlinx with him and give him ''all'' his power. Sparkplug was hesitant, saying that there was a good reason behind the Mini-Cons' [[safety interlock]]s, but complied with Prime's demands and allowed him to defeat Cyclonus with a mighty punch. In the aftermath, Optimus confronted Sparkplug, asking why he'd held power back even though the two trusted each other. Sparkplug explained the lore about their power and that it could either save or destroy the universe, only to discover Optimus had mysteriously vanished. {{storylink|Dreamwave Armada issue 13|Armada #13}}

Sparkplug returned to the Autobot base, where a different [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] had suddenly appeared. This other Optimus warned everyone present that "chaos was coming" before passing away. Adding to these strange events, Sparkplug detected traces of an interdimensional anomaly in [[Big Sur National Park]], and he and several others went to investigate. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4}} They ended up finding [[Over-Run (Armada)|Over-Run]], a Mini-Con from another dimension, and Sparkplug agreed to help him find his lost [[null-reality pod]]s, which could be used to find their Optimus Prime. Alongside Over-Run, Mirage, Astroscope, High Wire and [[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]], Sparkplug returned to the Decepticon base at [[Silver Ridge]] in search of the pods. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 2 of 4}} While they found what they were looking for, they ended up having to hide from several unknown enemies whom Over-Run said to be [[Herald of Unicron|Heralds of Unicron]]. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 3 of 4}} After the Heralds left, the Sparkplug was given a null-reality pod as the "optimum combination of Mini-Con energy" was needed to bring Optimus Prime back safely. They found Prime on an alternate [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]] on the verge of being eaten by [[Unicron]], and Sparkplug immediately powerlinxed with him. After changing colors thanks to Over-Run adding to their power with the [[Mini-Con Matrix]], Sparkplug and the others returned to their own dimension. {{storylink|Worlds Collide, Part 4 of 4}}

As Unicron now targeted their reality's Cybertron, all the Mini-Cons on Earth gathered together to fight the planet eater. After introducing them all to Over-Run, Sparkplug returned Cybertron and powerlinxed with Optimus Prime, who combined with [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]] and did battle with Unicron. The monster was ultimately defeated, and Sparkplug happily watched the cheering crowds and fireworks that accompanied the beginning of a new era of peace on Cybertron. {{storylink|The End}}

===Panini ''Armada'' comic===
Back on Cybertron, Sparkplug enjoyed watching [[Grindor (Armada)|Grindor]] perform "extraordinary feats", such as lifting heavy metal crates. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 3|Just a Memory!}} When the Decepticons first began capturing Mini-Cons, Sparkplug attended a meeting where [[Dualor (Armada)|Dualor]] proposed a plan to assassinate [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]]. They would lure him to the [[Autobot Command HQ]] with false information, then destroy the building with the Decepticon leader still inside. Sparkplug was the only one not in support of the plan, as he thought it was wrong to sacrifice many innocent Autobots just to stop the Decepticons. He went along with it at first, but as the plan neared fruition, he couldn't take it anymore and sent a warning [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]]. As the Autobots evacuated their headquarters, Megatron never entered it and the assassination failed. Dualor was furious, promising to punish whoever had betrayed them. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 9|Counter-Strike!}}

Eventually, the Mini-Cons just plain left both Autobots and Decepticons and took off into space, only to crash on [[Earth]] and go offline. Four million years later, they woke up thanks to [[Rad White]] and [[Carlos Lopez]]. {{storylink|First Encounter!}} Within minutes, the Autobots and Decepticons had found them again, and Sparkplug voiced his opinion that their lives were a "never-ending, waking nightmare". Rad asked the Mini-Cons to help the Autobots, but they refused, as things would only worsen if they got involved again. The human just told them that running away doesn't solve anything, and went off to save the Autobots himself. Realizing that he was right, Sparkplug joined the Autobots and power-linked with Optimus Prime, giving him the power to drive Megatron away. {{storylink|Friends and Foes!}}

The Autobots decided that the best way to keep the Mini-Cons out of Megatron's hands was to send them back to Cybertron. Sparkplug was hesitant about this idea, knowing full well that the war was still raging on their home planet, but said his goodbyes to Rad and his friends. When the Decepticons showed up to put a stop to their plans, Sparkplug hid while Rad tried to trick Megatron that the Mini-Cons were already gone. As Megatron made it clear that he'd just hunt for other Mini-Cons on Earth instead, Sparkplug realized that they had to stay behind as well and fight the Decepticons. He linked himself to Optimus Prime again, but the Decepticons fled before the fight could even begin. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|No Way Back!}} Later, Sparkplug had the brilliant idea of infiltrating the Decepticons' [[Silver Ridge]] headquarters and freeing their captured Mini-Cons. Taking [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]] and [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] with him, he successfully got past the Decepticons' security measures and reached the Mini-Cons... only to be grabbed by [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]], who would rather be rewarded by Megatron for capturing the Autobot-allied Mini-Cons. Sparkplug was saved by Jolt and Longarm and made his way outside, where he wondered if the Leader-1 and the rest had been corrupted, or if they just had been jerks all along. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 4|Into the Lions' Den!}}

When dormant Mini-Cons were discovered on Earth's [[Moon (moon)|Moon]], Sparkplug created a probe to fly up there and activate them. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 6|Between Two Worlds!}} Their lunar problems continued when the Decepticons prepared to fire missiles at the Autobots from the Moon. Sparkplug thought of a plan to give the Autobots some time by surrendering himself and the other Mini-Cons to the Decepticons. They were subsequently imprisoned on board a [[solar barge]] and taken towards the Moon. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Earthshaker!}} After breaking out of their cells using [[intratools]], Sparkplug and [[High Wire (Armada)|High Wire]] used [[magno-clamp]]s to walk on the barge's outside and disconnecting it from [[Cyclonus (Armada)|Cyclonus]]. Unfortunately, cutting the connection cable caused it to whip Sparkplug into the void of space, but he was quickly saved by Jolt. The Mini-Cons then returned to Earth safely. {{storylink|Panini Armada issue 8|Lost in Space!}}

===The Balance of Power===
Before the Mini-Cons' exodus from Cybertron, Sparkplug left behind an artifact, encoded with a message addressed to whomever might find it. In this message, Sparkplug explained the Mini-Cons' reason for leaving behind their homeworld, and provided the coordinates to the Mini-Cons' hiding place. The artifact was discovered by [[Starscream (Armada)|Starscream]] during a battle deep in Decepticon territory. After Sparkplug's message played, a portal opened to the planet Earth, and the Autobots and Decepticons traveled to this new world to begin their search for the Mini-Cons in earnest. {{storylink|The Balance of Power}}
{{note|This comic was written as a tie-in to the [[Transformers (PS2)|''Armada'' video game]], but its details differ from the introduction seen in the game itself. [[#PS2|See below]] for Sparkplug's role in the game.}}

===''Mini Mayhem!''===
In a celebration of the Transformers brand, Sparkplug showed up as one of the Mini-Con representatives for the "Unicron Trilogy" era of the franchise. {{storylink|Mini Mayhem!}}

===''Transformers Legends'' comic===
Prime Super Mode was among the Mini-Cons stolen by [[Megatron (Armada)|Megatron]] in the [[Legends Universe]]. {{storylink|Legends Comic: Bonus Edition Vol. EX (Armada Megatron)|Bonus Edition Vol. EX}}

==Games==
===''Transformers'' (PS2)===
He is Optimus Prime's Mini-Con partner. You can run him over! {{storylink|Transformers (PS2)|Transformers}}

==Toys==
===Armada===
[[File:Arm-toy Sparkplug.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|I look like [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]], but my name is [[Sparkplug Witwicky|Sparkplug]]. Some people think I look like [[Sunstreaker (G1)|Sunstreaker]], but pretty much everyone calls me [[Leader-1 (Armada)|Leader-1]].''(Hasbro Version Pictured)'']]
[[File:Prime Japanese toy.jpg|upright=1.66|thumb|The Japanese call me [[Prime (rank)|Prime]], but the Polish call me Leaderus. I call myself confused. ''(Takara Version Pictured)'']]
* '''Optimus Prime with Sparkplug''' (Super, 2002/2003)
** ''Japanese ID Number:'' '''MC-01'''

: Sparkplug transforms into a Lamborghini Diablo sports car. His robot mode bears a passing resemblance to the [[The Transformers (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[Autobot]] [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]]'s cartoon model. He was only available with his larger partner [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys|Optimus Prime]]. The [[TakaraTomy|Takara]] release made a minor change to Sparkplug's deco, giving him medium-gray windows rather than the dark purple of the [[Hasbro]] version.

: This mold was redecoed to make [[Atlas (MD)|Atlas]] and [[Drop-Test|Rod]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2002/Mini-Con/Sparkplug/sparkplug.htm More information on Sparkplug at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{Anchor|Green}}
* '''Prime Super Mode''' (Mini-Con, 2003)
[[File:Ran - A Sparkplug Repurpose.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|It ain't easy being green]]
: The August 2003 issue of ''TV-kun'' magazine in Japan included a special promotional "powered up" [[redeco]] of the Sparkplug toy in green. Also included was a little cardboard roadway and punch-out "targets" of various Decepticons for him to knock over.
: According to the brief ''Transformers'' section of the magazine, Sparkplug takes on this coloration when the other Mini-Cons give him their strength. When Powerlinxed to Super Optimus Prime in this mode, he causes Prime's cannon to fire a powerful energy blast that takes the shape of Sparkplug's robot mode.
:This toy would eventually be repurposed into a new character, [[Rán]], by [[Ask Vector Prime]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Micron/GreenPrime/prime.htm More information on Super Mode Sparkplug at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Corona}}
[[File:Arm-toy SparkplugCorona.jpg|thumb|upright=1.66|Na-na-na-na-na, my Corona!]]
* '''Powerlinx Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug''' (Super, 2003)

: For the "Powerlinx" redeco of Optimus Prime, the original Sparkplug was [[retool]]ed into a Cybertronian sports car with roof-lights and given a gold-chrome finish. (This finish seems to be a lot more durable than the chrome found on the [[Transmetal]] toys, being very resistant to flaking.) It is the only part of the set that was retooled, possibly because the yellow parts of Sparkplug are on their own mold tree (i.e., there are no other yellow-plastic parts to Super Optimus Prime), meaning an easy change to make.

: This mold was used to make [[Chrome]], [[Synapse (SL)|Synapse]], and [[Road Rebel|Thyristor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Mini-Con/Sparkplug/sparkplug.htm More information on Corona Sparkplug at TFU.info].

{{-}}{{anchor|KMart}}
*'''Battle for the Matrix''' (Multi-pack, 2003)

: Released on "[[Black Friday (event)|Black Friday]]" (the day after Thanksgiving), this K-Mart store [[exclusive]] bundled together Super Optimus Prime, Sparkplug, [[Jetfire (Armada)|Jetfire]], [[Comettor (Armada)|Comettor]], the [[Adventure Mini-Con Team]], and (oddly enough) [[Longarm (Armada)|Longarm]]. This release of Sparkplug is identical to the original; out of the entire set, only Optimus received a deco change.
{{-}}

===Built to Rule!===
[[File:BTR-toy Sparkplug.jpg|right|thumb|300px|T-pose to assert dominance.]]
* '''Optimus Prime with Sparkplug''' (Built to Rule!, 2003)

: Available only in the large ''[[Built to Rule!]]'' [[Optimus Prime (Armada)/toys#Built to Rule!|Optimus Prime]] set, this version of Sparkplug is a building-block "figure" that partially transforms, partially gets rebuilt from robot to vehicle mode and back, and only partially looks like Sparkplug.

: His robot-mode head is mounted on a 2x2 plate that also serves as a [[Powerlinx]] port, allowing his vehicle mode to be attached to both the ''Built to Rule!'' Powerlinx-peg 2x2 plate, and any other Powerlinx or [[5 mm post]], though the grip is ''extremely'' tight on non-''BTR'' posts, plus it cannot activate any Powerlinx-activated gimmicks.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2003/Mini-Con/BTRSparkplug/sparkplug.htm More information on Built to Rule! Sparkplug at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Energon===
*'''Overload with Rollout & Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug''' (Multi-pack, 2004)

: Part of a very large CostCo exclusive set during ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]'', Corona Sparkplug comes with extensively redecoed versions of ''Armada'' super-class Optimus Prime, [[Overload (Armada)|Overload]], and [[Rollout (Armada)|Rollout]]. Despite the extensive color changes made to Optimus, Corona Sparkplug is identical to his normal ''Armada'' release.

==Notes==
* Sparkplug's robot mode design appears to be an homage to [[Bumblebee (G1)|G1 Bumblebee]]'s cartoon model, with a similar head, "pipe" biceps, hood-feet, and roof-chest. Well, and being yellow. His own cartoon model kind of downplays the similarity of the noggin. The [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]] comic changed his head design practically every issue, with some being more Bumblebee-esque than others. Some people think he looks like Sunstreaker due to his exotic car mode and his roof chest.
* Due to bad American dubbing of ''Armada'', Sparkplug has been called Leader-1 several times through the course of the series. In fact, the first episode he appeared in, EVERYONE was calling him Leader-1. Talk about an identity crisis.
* The Hungarian dub of the show messed up Sparkplug's naming situation even further. The first occasion his actual name (Szikra) is uttered happens around episode 20, prior to which he has only been referred to either by the names of other Mini-Cons (even when the English dub used his correct name) or by no name at all. However a couple of episodes after receiving his own name, [[Jolt (Armada)|Jolt]] (who had been called Bütyök before) abruptly steals it from him, and keeps it for much of the show's remaining episodes. Thus viewers are left wondering just ''who'' this little yellow dude is supposed to be.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Prime''' (プライム ''Puraimu'')
*''Hungarian:'' '''Szikra''' ("Spark")
*''Korean:'' '''Prime''' (프라임 ''Peuraim'')
*''Polish:'' '''Liderus''' ("Leaderus")

==External links==
*[http://tfu.info/2002/Mini-Con/Sparkplug/sparkplug.htm Sparkplug at TFU.info.]

[[Category:Armada Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Built to Rule!]]
[[Category:Costco exclusives]]
[[Category:Dimension hoppers]]
[[Category:Energon Mini-Cons]]
[[Category:Legends Mini-Cons]]