Spark (Transformers) - Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers: Generation 1

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 Transformer's life, bestowed by the mega-computer Vector Sigma, and a central life-source called a "laser core". It is slightly referenced in the cartoon, in episode Divide and Conquer, where Megatron demanded to know if Optimus Prime's laser core was extinguished after Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp inflicted heavy damage on him during battle.

The original 1984 animated series, was more prominent for introducing energon cubes, which are energy storing devices created by the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth. The Autobots trade with the humans for the power, while the Decepticons steal the power. For all practical purposes, energon functions as fuel or "food" for the Transformers; in some episodes, Decepticons are depicted as literally drinking from Energon cubes. In the 1986 film The Transformers: The Movie, Optimus Prime sends a shuttle from Cybertron Moonbase One to Earth to collect Energon cubes for an assault on the Decepticon forces on Cybertron. Energon cubes are used in the 1985 book and audio story Megatron's Fight For Power by John Grant as well as the 1986 Find Your Fate Junior book Autobot Alert! by Judith Bauer Stamper. According to The Transformers Beast Wars Sourcebook energon cubes were invented during the "golden age" of Cybertron. In the 1986 video game The Transformers the player must collect four pieces of the Energon cube to complete the game. The toys of Generation 1 Insecticons Shothole, Zaptrap, and Salvo, ehobby exclusive recolors of Kickback, Shrapnel, and Bombshell, all came with three little purple plastic energon cubes. In the board game Monopoly: The Transformers Collector's Edition Energon cubes replace the houses.