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 Mini-Con from the Armada section of the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

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, leader of the Autobots. Through this, and his heroic actions, he's become something of a leader to his fellow Mini-Cons.

Japanese name: Prime

Fiction

Animated continuity

Soon after arriving on Earth, both the Autobots and Decepticons detect a Mini-Con signal located in the Grand Canyon. The Autobots are at a considerable disadvantage during the inevitable confrontation due to the Decepticon strength in numbers and the fact they must protect their human passengers. But with the help of the kids, Optimus Prime manages to find the Mini-Con panel, whose occupant turns out of be Sparkplug, Optimus Prime's old Mini-Con ally and friend. Together, they Powerlink, activating Optimus's powerful Maximum Blast which sends the Decepticons into retreat. Comrade

Dreamwave comics continuity

Having miraculously avoided capture, Sparkplug is instrumental in helping the Air Defense Mini-Con Team free his Mini-Con brethren from their initial imprisonment by the Decepticons.

Toys

Armada

• Optimus Prime with Sparkplug (Super, 2002/2003)

Japanese ID Number: MC-01

Sparkplug transforms into a Lamborghini Diablo sportscar. 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 used to make Atlas and Drop-Test.

• Prime Super Mode (Mini-Con, 2003)

The August 2003 issue of TV Boy magazine in Japan came with a special promotional "powered up" redeco of the Sparkplug toy in green. It also came with 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, Prime's cannon fires a powerful energy blast that takes the shape of Sparkplug's robot mode.

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

For the "Powerlinx" redeco of Optimus Prime, the original Sparkplug was retooled into a Cybertronic sportscar 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 as the only part of the set that was retooled, possibly because the yellow parts of Sparkplug are on their own mold-set, meaning an easy change to make (there are no other yellow-plastic parts to Super Optimus Prime).

This mold was used to make Chrome, Synapse and Road Rebel.

• 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.

Energon

• Optimus Prime and Overload with Corona Sparkplug and Rollout (Multi-pack, 2004)

Part of a very large CostCo exclusive set, this release of Corona Sparkplug is near-identical to the original release, despite the extensive color changes made to Optimus.

Trivia

• Sparkplug's robot mode design appears to be a 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.

External Links

• Sparkplug at TFU.info.

From Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki, a Wikia wiki.