Spark (Transformers)
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Generation 1
The Targetmaster partner of the Autobot Hot Rod, called Firebolt on the toy and in the television series, was referred to as Sparks throughout the US comic book series.Sparkride was the name of a Japanese exclusive repaint of Protectabot Groove.
Generation 2
| Transformers Character | |
 | |
| Spark (Pyro) | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Autobot |
| Sub-Group | Oblitorator |
| Function | Search and Destroy |
| Motto | "Think of the most aweful unspeakable menace you can - and then double it. That's what we're up against." |
| Alternate mode(s) | Earth-style Fire Truck |
| Series | Generation 2 |
| Voiced by | n/a |
Spark (also called Pyro in some markets) is the name of an Autobot leader who turns into a fire truck. Spark was a European exclusive.
Tech Spec: A colossal hero to the Autobot ranks, his feats of astounding courage are legendary. Thunders defiantly through everything up any sort of terrain. An awesome mixture of speed and firepower. Strong, versatile and solid as a rock.
As a vehicle always comes to the rescue and defends with massive multiple fireing missile launcher. Transforms to huge multi-function mid-stage defense launch pad. Immovable in battle as a monstrous robot.
Beast Wars
A Spark is best described as the "soul" of a Transformer - while they have programmable computer minds that house their personality, the Spark is that indefinable, indescribable energy that makes them truly alive, more than mere machines. Throughout the original Marvel Comics Transformers series, there were references to similar concepts such as the "spark of life" or "life spark," while the animated series spoke of "cybernetic personalities" as the source of a Transformers' life, bestowed by the mega-computer Vector Sigma, and a central life-source called a "laser core."
It was the 1990's Beast Wars animated series which truly introdued "the Spark" as it is now known today. All Cybertronians have a Spark, regardless of their heritage of allegiance - rendered as a glowing sphere of incandescent life, a Spark dies or "extinguishes" when the body that houses it suffers fatal damage. Should a Spark be threatened thusly, Transformers are equipped with emergency protocols that shunt them into "stasis lock," a state of still-living involuntary deactivation, in order to prevent further damage and to allow repairs, thereby safeguarding the Spark. Rhinox first explains the concept of a Spark when operating on the proto-form that would become Airazor. He describes the existence of such an item by explaining: "When a Spark goes online, there is great joy. When one is extinguished, the Universe weeps." Although the term was never used in the original cartoon and comic, Beast Wars established that these older-era characters all too had Sparks (or their historical equivalent, nomenclature aside).
The sequel series, Beast Machines explored the concept on a much deeper level. Sparks, it explained, are fragments of the Allspark, also known as the "Matrix," the "well of all sparks" that currently exist, have existed, or ever will exist. Sparks leave the Allspark upon the birth of new Transformer life so that they may learn, grow, love and truly experience life, and then, with the passing of the Transformer, the Spark returns to the Allspark, assimilated back into it to share all the knowledge it has gained with the whole.
In knowing this, it can be taken that the object known as the Autobot Matrix of Leadership, long stated to hold the wisdom of the ages, is a gateway to this realm, where the amassed knowledge it contains can be consulted (where the sparks of those who have formerly held the Matrix retain their individuality and can be communed with). Similarly, this link explains the object's ability to create new Transformer life in the Marvel Comics, via the transferral of a Spark from the Allspark. Vector Sigma, was also revealed to possess a connection to the Allspark, thereby explaining its ability to bestow life.
Nearly all Transformers series after Beast Wars have made use of the term "Spark" (though usually just in passing mention, often the result of dubbing). Of all the new continuity elements introduced by Beast Wars and Beast Machines, the Spark is inarguably the one concept which has been embraced the strongest by the fandom, with the vast majority of fans happily retroactively using it in reference to the older stories.
Appearance
Sparks normally appear as blue balls of energy with a pulsating center composed of smaller spheres. An ever-changing pattern of "electricity"-like lines travel around the surface. In Beast Machines several of the Maximals are shown with different colored sparks such as yellow, white, red, purple (possibly expressing their individuality and/or a special connection to the Matrix/Allspark) and Megatron who had a spark colored a violent shade of red.Transformers: Cybertron
The mention of Sparks continued in the Transformers: Cybertron series, as Galvatron mentioned Sparks during his last battle with Optimus Prime.
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