Sparkplug (Armada)

The name or term "Sparkplug" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Sparkplug (disambiguation).

Sparkplug is a Autobot-allied Mini-Con from the Armada section of the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

Sparkplug is a good-natured, energetic young Mini-Con who through the fates of war has become partnered with Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. 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 Decepticons with apathy at best, Sparkplug is firmly aware of what those differences mean to Mini-Cons. He's seen the way Megatron treats Leader-1 compared to the way Optimus Prime treats him. Given the choice, Sparkplug gladly prefers the Autobots.

Fiction

Toy pack-in comics

Galvatron set up a false distress signal from Sparkplug that the Air Defense Mini-Con Team detected. They reported it to 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. Armada Volume 3

Cartoon continuity

Armada cartoon

Sparkplug is an unusual case of Autobot with red eyes.

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. Prehistory

Soon after arriving on Earth, both the Autobots and Decepticons detected a Mini-Con signal located in the Grand 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 powerlinxed, activating Optimus's powerful Maximum Blast, which sent the Decepticons into retreat. Comrade

After being rescued, Sparkplug was seen hanging around the Autobot base with 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. 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 fires. Jungle

When Sparkplug saw Rad and Carlos sneaking off to the carnival with their Mini-Cons, he decided to tell Jolt and 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 and Billy, however, leading to a hilarious chase scene as Sparkplug and the others tried to avoid the brats. Carnival

After Cyclonus kidnapped Billy and Fred, the Autobots were reluctantly prepared to turn over Sparkplug and the other Mini-Cons to Megatron. When the Decepticons broke the deal, however, the Autobots managed to recover both the kids and the Mini-Cons. 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. Prehistory

When the Decepticons stormed the Autobot headquarters, Sparkplug helped man the internal defense systems to drive off the invaders. Swoop

After the Decepticons acquired the 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. Conspiracy

Sparkplug stood in front of Optimus Prime to protect him from Megatron and the Star Saber. He then spoke English and summoned the Skyboom Shield for Optimus to use to fend off Megatron. 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, 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. 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 managed to retrieve them. 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. Remorse

Sparkplug and the Mini-Cons all chose to willingly follow the Autobots into space aboard the Axalon, and Sparkplug was seen helping to load the vessel before departure. 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'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. Miracle

Linkage

Sparkplug and Perceptor appeared as holograms to tell Redline and his group that they were leaving Earth for Cybertron with the Autobots. Linkage Part 12

Force of Habit

With the Unicron Singularity forcing the evacuation of Cybertron, Sparkplug and a number of Autobot leaders were summoned to the Iron Hope, where Ultra Magnus dispatched them across the galaxy to locate the lost Autobot colony worlds. Sparkplug was given command of the Valiant and sent to the Betelgeuse region. Force of Habit

Dreamwave Armada comic

Before the war, Sparkplug resided in Mini-Con Village C52. When the Decepticons attacked, he miraculously avoided capture by Cyclonus and Demolishor, but was left lying unconscious near the village. Armada #1 Sparkplug was found by the 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 rocket pack by Runway and drawing fire from the Decepticon base's laser-based security system). The mission was a success, and Sparkplug and the rest of the Mini-Cons boarded a spaceship and blasted off in search for freedom. Armada #2

Unfortunately, the ship malfunctioned, broke up and crashed on Earth. One million years later, Sparkplug was awakened alongside High Wire, Grindor, and Sureshock when Rad White stumbled into the wreckage of their ship. After using Carlos Lopez's tools to repair themselves and build a 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. Armada #3 However, their fun and games with the humans quickly came to a stop when 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 modes and made a run for it, eventually encountering the Autobots. Armada #4 They watched 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. 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 and Longarm, Sparkplug infiltrated the Decepticon base... and was immediately discovered by Starscream. As the Decepticon tried to capture them, he ended up causing the roof to collapse on everyone. 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, so Sparkplug hurried back to the Autobot base and powerlinxed with Optimus Prime, granting him the power needed to stand up to Megatron. 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 monolith in Kansas. Upon entering the structure, it turned out to be a spaceship that took them to the Moon. Armada #8

They found themselves on a a moonbase, where Dualor explained to Sparkplug, Runway and 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. 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 #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. Armada #11

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. 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 interlocks, 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. Armada #13

Sparkplug returned to the Autobot base, where a different 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. Worlds Collide, Part 1 of 4 They ended up finding Over-Run, a Mini-Con from another dimension, and Sparkplug agreed to help him find his lost null-reality pods, which could be used to find their Optimus Prime. Alongside Over-Run, Mirage, Astroscope, High Wire and Comettor, Sparkplug returned to the Decepticon base at Silver Ridge in search of the pods. 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 Heralds of Unicron. 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 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. 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 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. The End

Panini Armada comic

When the Decepticons first began capturing Mini-Cons, Sparkplug attended a meeting where Dualor proposed a plan to assassinate 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. As the Autobots evacuated their headquarters, Megatron never entered it and the assassination failed. Dualor was furious, promising to punish whoever had betrayed them. 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. 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. 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. No Way Back! Later, Sparkplug had the brilliant idea of infiltrating the Decepticons' Silver Ridge headquarters and freeing their captured Mini-Cons. Taking Longarm and Jolt with him, he successfully got past the Decepticons' security measures and reached the Mini-Cons... only to be grabbed by 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. Into the Lions' Den!

When dormant Mini-Cons were discovered on Earth's Moon, Sparkplug created a probe to fly up there and activate them. 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. Earthshaker! After breaking out of their cells using intratools, Sparkplug and High Wire used magno-clamps to walk on the barge's outside and disconnecting it from 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. Lost in Space!

Games

Transformers (PS2)

He is Optimus Prime's Mini-Con partner. You can run him over! Transformers

Toys

Armada

• 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 Generation 1 Autobot Bumblebee's cartoon model. He was only available with his larger partner Optimus Prime. The 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 and Drop-Test.

• More information on Sparkplug at TFU.info

• Prime Super Mode (Mini-Con, 2003)

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.

• More information on Super Mode Sparkplug at TFU.info

• Powerlinx Optimus Prime with Corona Sparkplug (Super, 2003)

For the "Powerlinx" redeco of Optimus Prime, the original Sparkplug was retooled 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 and Road Rebel.

• More information on Corona Sparkplug at TFU.info.

• Battle for the Matrix (Multi-pack, 2003)

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

Built to Rule

• Optimus Prime with Sparkplug (Built to Rule, 2003)

Available only in the large 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.

• 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 Energon, Corona Sparkplug comes with extensively redecoed versions of Armada super-class Optimus Prime, Overload and 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 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 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 (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)
• Polish: Liderus ("Leaderus")
• Hungarian: Szikra ("Spark")

External links

• Sparkplug at TFU.info.