Transformer afterlife: Difference between revisions
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Applying the existance of the Allspark retroactively to previous continuities (as the Primus-singularity [[retcon]] allows. See his page for details on that.) leads to a new interpretation of some existing artifacts. | Applying the existance of the Allspark retroactively to previous continuities (as the Primus-singularity [[retcon]] allows. See his page for details on that.) leads to a new interpretation of some existing artifacts. | ||
*Most prominently there are the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and the Creation Matrix, the legendary talismans carried by Autobot leaders in the Generation 1 cartoon and Marvel Comic respectively. The | *Most prominently there are the [[Matrix of Leadership]] and the Creation Matrix, the legendary talismans carried by Autobot leaders in the Generation 1 cartoon and Marvel Comic respectively. The abilities of both these artifacts can be glossed as a result of their functioning as connections to the Allspark dimension. | ||
*Secondly, there is the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]], which, like the Matrix, endows new Transformers with life. In the Beast Era the most common method of communication with the Allspark via Vector Sigma involves the use of its [[shell program]], the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]], which permits a "receptive spark" to commune directly with the collective intelligence of the Allspark. (Though in some material there is evidence that the Oracle has been subverted to serve Quintesson ends.) Prior to the Oracle's existance, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] used the empty shell of the Matrix of Leadership to access what we would see as the Allspark through Vector Sigma and spoke directly to the dead [[Alpha Trion]] who had previously been shown to have merged with Vector Sigma AND to reside in the Matrix (a discrepancy at the time that is now rectified by the retcon application of the Alspark to the G1 cartoon). | *Secondly, there is the mega-computer [[Vector Sigma]], which, like the Matrix, endows new Transformers with life. In the Beast Era the most common method of communication with the Allspark via Vector Sigma involves the use of its [[shell program]], the [[Oracle (G1)|Oracle]], which permits a "receptive spark" to commune directly with the collective intelligence of the Allspark. (Though in some material there is evidence that the Oracle has been subverted to serve Quintesson ends.) Prior to the Oracle's existance, [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]] used the empty shell of the Matrix of Leadership to access what we would see as the Allspark through Vector Sigma and spoke directly to the dead [[Alpha Trion]] who had previously been shown to have merged with Vector Sigma AND to reside in the Matrix (a discrepancy at the time that is now rectified by the retcon application of the Alspark to the G1 cartoon). | ||
Revision as of 16:07, 11 July 2007
| This article is about the extradimensional entity also known as the Matrix. For the Unicron Trilogy power plant, see Allspark Power Generation Station. |
| The name or term "Matrix" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Matrix (disambiguation). |
The Allspark is the source of Transformer life. Frequently it is glossed as the essence of Primus.
Evolution
The concept of The Allspark has evolved and coalesced over the course of almost all Transformer fiction since the line began. The specific concepts that have evolved into "The Allspark" are traced below:
Generation 1 Cartoon
The Autobot Matrix of Leadership is a powerful, mysterious, and ancient vessel that contains the wisdom of all past Autobot leaders.
Marvel Comic
The Autobot Creation Matrix is a powerful and ancient vessel that contains the essence of the Transformers God Primus. All Transformers lifeforces are said to be fragments of Primus' own.
Beast Wars
Transformer life force is first described as a spark. This spark is said to come from the Matrix when a Transformer is born and return to it upon his death. The exact nature of what the Matrix here is not established but wait for it...
Beast Machines
What was known as "the Matrix" in Beast Wars is first refered to as "the Allspark." It is defined as the dimension from which all Transformer sparks that exist, have existed, or ever will exist originate, existing as a collective whole.
When a Transformer is "born," a single spark departs the Allspark and suffuses itself into the new Transformer body, giving it true life and soul. When the Transformer then reaches the end of its life, the spark departs its body and returns to the Allspark; all the knowledge that the Transformer acquired and all of its life experiences are contained with the spark, and they are added to the totality that is the Allspark.
(The connection of the Allspark to Primus is not made explicit at this point but seems an obvious one to many fans).
Dreamwave
The Well of All Sparks exists on Cybertron and seems to have some connection to the mystical source of Transformer life.
The fictive foundation of Sparks and the Allspark laid down in the Beast Era material is taken up and brought together with the concept of Primus
Means of access
Applying the existance of the Allspark retroactively to previous continuities (as the Primus-singularity retcon allows. See his page for details on that.) leads to a new interpretation of some existing artifacts.
- Most prominently there are the Matrix of Leadership and the Creation Matrix, the legendary talismans carried by Autobot leaders in the Generation 1 cartoon and Marvel Comic respectively. The abilities of both these artifacts can be glossed as a result of their functioning as connections to the Allspark dimension.
- Secondly, there is the mega-computer Vector Sigma, which, like the Matrix, endows new Transformers with life. In the Beast Era the most common method of communication with the Allspark via Vector Sigma involves the use of its shell program, the Oracle, which permits a "receptive spark" to commune directly with the collective intelligence of the Allspark. (Though in some material there is evidence that the Oracle has been subverted to serve Quintesson ends.) Prior to the Oracle's existance, Optimus Prime used the empty shell of the Matrix of Leadership to access what we would see as the Allspark through Vector Sigma and spoke directly to the dead Alpha Trion who had previously been shown to have merged with Vector Sigma AND to reside in the Matrix (a discrepancy at the time that is now rectified by the retcon application of the Alspark to the G1 cartoon).
All Spark (cube)
(Note: The movie uses the spelling "All Spark" (two words, rather than one) to refer to the object.)
The All Spark is a physical object of mysterious origin. A large, metallic cube, it is inscribed with ornate runes and is believed to be responsible for creating and sustaining the Transformer race and the planet of Cybertron itself.
(Note: The movie's All Spark is a big cube because, in the original screenplay, it was going to be called the "Energon Cube.")
Prequel
Swayed to the side of evil by the lure of the All Spark's power, Cybertron's co-ruler Lord Megatron went rogue with his own army, seeking to take control of it. At Optimus Prime's orders, Bumblebee and a group of Autobots secretly transported the All spark to Tyger Pax, only to be pursued by the Decepticons. Megatron himself took a personal hand in the torture of Bumblebee, attempting to force him to reveal the All spark's location, but his efforts went in vain, and the All Spark was blasted into space to put it beyond Megatron's reach. In response, Megatron crushed Bumblebee's voice box and began to follow the All Spark to Earth.
Transformers (2007) movie
The All Spark was found in 1913, 16 years after the NBE "Iceman" was found. The glyphs on the cube were similar to the ones on the Iceman, indicating a link between the two. In order to hide the cube from other humans and, potentially, from other NBEs, the President had the Hoover Dam built around it. The Iceman was also moved to the dam for further study. It was eventually determined that the cube emitted a type of radiation which could bring mechanical devices to life.
Years later, when Megatron eventually came back online due to the intervention of his soldiers, Sam Witwicky convinced Sector Seven to release Bumblebee, saying he could help. Bumblebee interacted with the cube and prompted it to collapse from an enormous monolith into a object less than half a meter across, and accordingly lesser in mass as well as volume. Bumblebee and a military escort, soon joined by the Autobots, took the Cube to Mission City, where Sam ran through the city avoiding the Decepticons. During the battle between Optimus Prime and Megatron, Prime told Sam to merge the Cube with his spark. However, Sam instead merged it with Megatron's spark, destroying both Megatron and the All Spark. Without a means to restore their homeworld, the Autobots elected to remain on Earth, and Prime sent a message to inform the surviving Autobots of their new found home.
Notes
- The All Spark is comparable to aspects of the Creation Matrix, Vector Sigma, and Primus.
Merchandise
- All Spark Cube with candy A small transparent cube filled with yummy life-giving candy pieces.
- Allsparks cubes 4 cardboard folding party favor/puzzle Allsparks [sic] cubes that can be opened and stacked in different configurations to complete images of the Movie Transformers. Created by DesignWare, a subsidiary of the American Greetings greeting card company.
Trivia
- In July 2007 several items from the 2007 movie were auctioned off on e-bay including the 'Hero' AllSpark prop used for closeups, with the money benefitting the Fisher House Foundation, a living facility attached to many US Military Hospitals. As of this writing(Jul-11-07) the auction has collected 65 bids and stands at $6,666.
