Sparkplug (Armada)

''Sparkplug is a Mini-Con from the Armada section of theUnicron Trilogy continuity family.



Sparkplug is a goodnatured, energetic young minicon who through the fates of war becomes partnered with Optimus Prime and so through this, and his heroic actions, becomes something of a leader to his fellow mini-cons.

Japanese name: Prime

Dreamwave Armada Comic
Having miraculously avoided capture, Sparkplug is instrumental in helping the Air Defence Team free his mini-con bretheren from their initial imprisonment by the Decepticons.

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 Rod.


 * 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 Thyristor.


 * 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.