TRANSFORMERS: THE BASICS on SPARKS

[@TheHumbleFellow]

"When a Spark goes online, there is great joy. When one is extinguished, the universe weeps."

[@ChrisMcFeely]

I had this soundclip in the video, but it was setting off the copyright ID bot so I had to ditch it rather than delay release!

[@gabrielchee8470]

@@ChrisMcFeely RIP

[@Bricky_comedian]

Wait if a spark is basically a heart for transformers,does this mean I had my spark broken…….

[@mattdarrock666]

Famous quote from Professor Rhinox

[@kidprime6863]

​@@ChrisMcFeelyStupid copyright

[@SoundwaveSuperior1991]

The only reason I can think why starscream has an indestructible spark is that the well of allsparks doesn’t want him back 🤣

[@gabrielchee8470]

So basically he pulled a DCs Lobo? Scary

[@beLIEve77]

Thought it was about mutation

[@SoundwaveSuperior1991]

@@beLIEve77 it’s satire but I guess it failed

[@SoundwaveSuperior1991]

@@beLIEve77 sparks leave the well of allsparks to become a transformer then one day return to advance the knowledge so screamy would have left with that mutation to begin with, so I guess the well of allsparks doesn’t want that back any time soon

[@LordMegs1984]

When you’re so evil not even the after life wants you

[@Tyrann13]

“When a spark comes online, there is great joy.” - Rhinox

[@Zeronos63]

When one is extinguished, the universe weeps

[@GeekBearReporter]

This line will forever stick with us as fans. Because it cemented Transformers much bigger than just robots in disguise. I will always be thankful for Beast Wars because of this line.

[@bryannkam]

I love that with the concept of Sparks, a Transformer’s lifecycle is sort of a mechanical form of reincarnation, which rather perfectly for their race. For what is reincarnation, if not a form of transformation.

[@ShaneFussell]

What is beef, if not cow perservering?

[@originaluddite]

But do they usually reincarnate, or do most of them permanently return to the well in a kind of eternal pantheist oneness?

[@greenightponydragon5127]

We don’t know. All are reborn a new after all. For all we know some characters we see can be reincarnations of old characters we wouldn’t know. Such is mystery of life unless a story or outside source clarifies

[@ltb1345]

I agree, that does fit perfectly.

[@catastropheoverclock]

"Raw energon! Right through your twisted spark! Take it! Take it straight to the pit, you SICKENING PIECE OF SLAG!" -Depth Charge

[@murakumo65]

*Maniacle laughter -Rampage

[@VictorIV0310]

David Sobolov is the GOAT. Also loved him as Shockwave in Transformers: Prime and Reaper Squad Leader “J” from Armored Core: Verdict Day.

[@commielnino]

It can't be understated how much the writers were a pack of frustrated Shakespeareans in the Beast Wars series lol.

[@glenngriffon8032]

Has any media ever expanded on "the pit" which i always assumed was transformer hell

[@danielbrant6740]

​@@murakumo65 *BOOM!*

[@Nougatbars]

I love sparks. To me, adding this organic, metaphysical element was the big step that started the trend of Cybertronians being not just robots like they were in the comic and cartoon, but the mechanical lifeforms they are now, which even now to this day, with a glut of imitators and just…alien robots in general, makes Cybertronians and therefore Transformers as a franchise even feel unique.

[@echoexe6253]

"You Flare, you Flicker, you Fade. Till all are One."

[@adawnicusautocon]

6:31 This speech was just absolutely beautiful and was said perfectly by the descendant of Optimus Prime, rather fitting actually

[@CGHawkatoo]

You forgot that in Transformers Prime, Dreadwing said he FELT the death of his "brother" Skyquake because the two shared a split spark.

[@ProfessM]

Beast Wars introduction of the Spark really goes to show how much ummm soul that show had. And why years later it is still a great watch.

[@DeamonChocobo]

For all the changes in the Transformers franchise over the years it's so nice to have something like this added years later take such prominence and even have relatively simple retcons that help it be brought into the stories that came before.

[@MrOmnisun]

Chris, this is probably my favorite episode of the basics. Thank you! I always liked in Beast Wars how Blackaracnia had a Predacon shell programs implanted by tarantulas in her protoform overriding her Maximal programming. And to think of it in the G1 cartoon Megatron tragically reprogrammed Omega Supreme’s friends, the Constructicons.

[@kidprime6863]

I remember the Robo-Smasher. That machine was probably the precursor or the inspiration for Tarantulas' Shell Program.

[@toomanyspreedsheets9802]

1:20 I love that image of Primus, its funny, got so much personality in one shot, and makes it feel like HES the chaotic one. Which would make more sense with a life-based god, what with life being naturally chaotic.

[@sivanlevi3867]

In a way, even if we are organic and the Transformers are synthetic, electrical impulses still run through us, as our thoughts are driven by little "sparks" of our own. It's no wonder we represent great thinkers and big ideas with the lightbulb, one tiny spark is all it takes to turn a man into a genius and a robot into a living being. Thanks Chris! You really know how to "spark" someone's interest! LOL

[@thepeternetwork]

This comment reminded me of the original Journey Into Imagination at the opening of Epcot. The attraction's song "One Little Spark" fits this.

[@Bmontepeque11]

I absolutely love the fact that all media now depicts Transformers as living beings, that they just happen to be made of metal (Thus, their Techo-organic Nature), and that the sparks are responsible for that! And even the point where Transformers don't fully understand the relationship between mind and soul just like we humans don't understand ours either is THE BEST. Transformers truly feel even more alive after knowing that fact ❤️

[@VictorIV0310]

Beast Wars really was the turning point for all Transformers media going forward.

[@Heroduothecomedian]

Optimus: "you have no soul" Galvatron: "Thats is why i have no FEAR!"

[@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho]

That line is dumb, but I have a headcanon that makes it work. Since Megatron had the AllSpark jammed in his chest in the 2007 movie, he absorbed its energies. The fragment he was revived with in ROTF was the missing piece needed to bring him back online, and ever since then he’s had the AllSpark keeping him online no matter what. There is no way to kill Bayverse Megatron- and for that, he has become even more proud and fearless.

[@Boomerjojo79]

​@@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho so it's like transformers animated starscream

[@akiharashuguro2141]

​@@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho despite "the is dumb" It's still canon ?!

[@Katakuna15]

@@EternityKingdomsHeadHonchoI thought Bayverse Megatron’s spark was extinguished in DotM.

[@zacharybrogden3038]

It’s amazing how spiritual Transformers can be. Like when Megatron was denied the All Spark after using Dark Energon. Literally denying himself the afterlife.

[@MatthewCobalt]

It's a special kind of hell, as you will no longer be one with all who came before you or those to come after you. The ultimate incompleteness and exclusion.

[@CapnShades]

Funny enough, it's a way more accurate depiction of Christian hell than fire and brimstone.

[@Dragon66898]

14:15 When I heard you say that I got a Full Metal Alchemist vibe from it. Now I want to see a Cybertronian alchemist that’s obsessed with their equivalent of gold.

[@gabrielchee8470]

Well there's alchemist prime...

[@Dragon66898]

@@gabrielchee8470 yes but he wasn’t obsessed with their equivalent of gold, or even making their version of the Philosopher’s Stone.

[@gabrielchee8470]

@@Dragon66898 well if you want a crazy chemist, I guess G1 Quickmix.

[@gabrielchee8470]

​@@Dragon66898I guess there's G1 Quickmix

[@TFfangeek]

The spark is the greatest aspect of the mythos of the Transformers, since the mind and soul are regarded as the epicenter of emotions, the key component that makes the Transformers have actual life, and not just "mindless" machines.

[@mattr75]

Sparks really have evolved over the years

[@slacknhash]

Being a Springer fanboy (as if the userpic wasn't clue enough) I quite liked the plot point that Mesothulas / Tarantulas generated Ostaros / Springer's spark artificially. One can only imagine how that revelation could have upset the Primus-botherers. That's got to be borderline blasphemous by a lot of Cybertronian standards!

[@Jackson-hp7rt]

"Above all, do not lament my absence...for in my spark, I know that this is not the end. But merely...a new beginning. Simply put, another transformation."

[@darrenheideman2546]

When I watched the episode "Sea Change" not too long ago, I thought to myself about how if Sparks had been established at that point, the sense of drama in the scene when Seaspray goes into the mystic pool likely would've been different. I'm also curious if there was ever anything dealing with an extracted Spark transplanted into a new Protoform eventually facing rejection from the new body. (I had this thought of Megatron or another character facing that consequence.)

[@greenhat8978]

I think if you watch the episode on protoforms He answers that question

[@saltmanz]

Late in the IDW comics Megatron complains about how his new body (built for him by the Autobots) doesn't "graft to the spark" like previous ones.

[@DeanWelsh-q9n]

This is probably the most educational episode I've ever seen ,I've always wanted to know about these sparks in transformers, thank you so much for doing this topic Chris ❤️😊👍👏

[@CarbonAnimationProductions]

14:21 omg i just noticed bulkheads the only sad one in the group!! i didnt know he felt that way when optimus died, then turned happy when he saw all the sparks come to life

[@matthewreynoso6904]

Beast Wars was so phenomenal for giving us the concept of the sparks!

[@gota7738]

The amount Steven Universe's Gems matches up to later Cybertronian lore, is really amusing to me. Honestly I think they'd make for a good comics crossover.

[@rashakor]

Indeed. I never made the connection before. But now, i cannot unsee it.

[@MarvelMPH]

In the crossover gems could be something like another rogue quintesson product line as if I remember correctly the white diamond's origins are unknown but someone had to make her for her to make the rest of the gems right?

[@yellowcaballero]

I bet the crystal gems and the autobots would join forces to protect humanity

[@vustvaleo8068]

before Beast Wars coincidentally Takara with the first Brave series in 1990 Brave Exkaiser had a concept similar to Sparks with the robots being originally a race of alien energy beings that came to Earth and inhabit Earth's machinery such as cars and vehicles in order to survive Earth's environment essentially turning Earth's machines into their mech suits.

[@wanderingaceminecraftandmo8034]

Kinda funny that the concept of a Spark appears to be present before even Beast Wars. Heck, isn't the Brave mecha franchise technically canon to the Transformers multiverse?

[@AIFT_Staff]

or brave police j-decker, where we have universal life force between humans, ai robots and multiple aliens

[@yoman8027]

I was looking for this comment. And yeah, the concept of sparks seems to be based on those of some Brave series, where the robots are actually host bodies for energy based alien life forms.

[@yoman8027]

@@wanderingaceminecraftandmo8034 Kinda. It's part of the Cymond cluster, which is an universal cluster bordering all the Transformers megaverse. Although nearly impossible, I'd love to see a crossover with Transformers, maybe Draias from Fighbird, haling from his universe, usurping the Decepticons leadership, forcing Megatron to ally with Optimus.

[@arvinrufo7061]

The choice to have the ending of Transformers Prime be the ending footage for this video is genius. I love it. 😍❤️

[@AvgJoeHobbyShow]

“That is why I have no fear” goes hard 🤘🏻

[@jconnor117]

I've always loved the idea of Sparks in the Beast Wars and Beast Machines cartoons. I remember as a kid watching BM that when Megatron had his generals extracting Sparks I used especially Jetstorm taking Black Arachnia's I got so pissed that he literally took their lifeforce.

[@starry53]

The origin of the Sparks is really mind-blowing as I had no idea how it works. Either way, that was a surprisingly complicated Basics I've ever watched.

[@felmaster3534]

An awesome video! I noticed a comment mentioned about the Pit, but I also remember in an episode of Beast Wars where, in one of his arguments with Rattrap, Dinobot mentions that being shot in the back by Rattrap "wouldn't get him a seat in Predacon Valhalla." It seems that in Cybertronian society, there are various interpretations of the afterlife which I think should be explored more often!

[@akumaking1]

The entire Transformers mythos owes a lot to Beast Wars

[@robbiewabisabi]

Nice Hitchhiker's reference, Chris! Amazing how what was originally cars and trucks and guns and cassettes has evolved into this giant world building mythology in the last 40 years.

[@cyberprime9355]

Sparks and Brain Modules..... While the Spark is akin to the soul, the Brain Module is the mind. If there is one thing I have always appreciated about this idea, it's that it not only blurs the line between human and machine, but truly makes the Transformers stand out from any other media robots, save for ones like "Mega Man" , where the robots were more human and made by humans. It is also part of the reason I love this brand so much. It shows that robots don't need to be unthinking machines or made by man to be so interesting.

[@kidprime6863]

In two episodes of G1, "Divide and Conquer" and "The Autobot Run", they mentioned something called a "Laser Core". Which presumably serves has their hearts. I'm not sure if they were retconned as Sparks.

[@thenerdbeast7375]

I think mentions of sparks predate Beast Wars but before it was something immaterial, like the human soul it had no physical proof but the Cybertronians had faith that it existed.

[@WillKeaton]

_Beast Wars_ was a great show that expanded the lore of the franchise, but it is this, the introduction of the Spark, that has by far the greatest, furthest reaching impact on every single iteration of _Transformers_ from that point onward.

[@gbalfour9618]

I didn't realize Beast Wars was the first time Sparks were introduced. They handled it so well I thought it was how it was before. Thanks for that info, never realized how much Beast Wars expanded the transformers lore, it was what got me into Transformers.

[@dragonluvver975]

Thanks! Transformers One does a good job at explaining the current consensus, but the history is fascinating

[@jonpower9728]

The lasting influence the Beast Wars series has contr8buted can't be understated enough.

[@Kusanagikaiser999]

As always thanks for these amazing analysis on TF lore, this franchise have indeed an incredible mythology.

[@lachlanevans5013]

Of all the things in transformers lore the concept of Sparks is definitely one of the most fascinating to me. Love you video mate, can you do Depth charge next

[@Timeliner2004TF]

Wow, for me Sparks been always fascinating thing in TF lore, so i'm greatly glad this video show up and happy re-heard about balls of living light even when as long-time fan i'm know already much. It's useful work Thank you, Chris McFeely ❤❤❤

[@jonathanward8967]

"Til All Are One" needs to be the chant of peace this world needs!

[@gavo7911]

This is one of your best videos yet! The way you link the vagueness of the Spark to human souls was genius, and the information was laid out super well. A+ work here, Chris.

[@blueraccoon1088]

11:34 since chris lattta voiced both mr burns and starscream to quote Both "indestructible, indestructible, indestructible"

[@ghostsurfer23]

Beast Wars was the Transformers series I grew up on, and Sparks have gotta be my favorite piece of Transformers lore there is. Adding a spiritual element to the largely sci-fi status quo of the Transformers universe is, well, beautiful, and I would argue borders on the poetic. It's sort of like the opposite of adding midichlorians to Star Wars, and I know THAT decision isn't as loved by fans as Sparks are, but I personally like both.

[@TheNitroRaptor]

That ending transition was 👌

[@twilightnite13]

Beautiful work with this Chris, simply beautiful. Your video also gave some solidity for some of my own theories of how the Sparks and the minds are linked. Especially how the Minds and body blueprints seem to originate from Vector Sigma while the soul is from the Sparks and the overall bodies seem to originate from the Plasma Energy Chamber before the Quints came and ruined it.

[@Karlos1234ify]

I loved how Beast Wars introduced this concept

[@toeimoviefan2978]

7:01 Imagawa can use the Mattel, Nintendo, and Type-Moon version of Matrix Of Leadership.

[@seansparks9611]

My name is Sparks and today is my birthday! Great timing. Love this channel!

[@Aramakie98]

Happy Cake Day, Sparks!

[@larrychilders6599]

14:12 I always interpreted Sparks to be a log of every event in its life ( think like the inputs of a Tool assisted speedrun) but the brain is a random number generator that works in tandem to make their lives not so fixed

[@AngryNerdBird]

It's very fitting that Beast Wars is literally where Transformers got its soul from.

[@TamashiiRyu]

I think this is my favorite topic you have done this far

[@RatedShadowXrd]

“Above all. Do not lament my absence. For in my *Spark* I know it’s not the end.” - Optimus Prime final speech (TF Prime)

[@waspshot23]

Excellent video Chris, pulling a great selection of sources. I have to say I forgot all about the Beast Machines "Matrix"!

[@GamerEdlinden]

I love your channel! It's a reliable source of information on the Transformers franchise!

[@jelanibennett7526]

Rhinox: Where... all are one

[@Steven-ip8xo]

Hi Chris even though you're Asleep, Great video about Transformers: The Basics on Sparks, keep them coming, Also your latest video was outstanding, Also " When a Spark goes online, there's is great joy. When one is extinguished, the universe weeps" Also The only reason i can still think is why Starscream has an indestructible spark is that the well of allsparks doesn't want him back.🙂 I too love but also like that with the concept of Sparks, a Transformer's lifecycle is sort of a mechanical form of reincarnation, which rather perfectly for their race. For what is reincarnation, if not a form of transformation. Also, Optimus "you have no soul" Galvatron "That's why I have no Fear" Also For all the changes in the Transformers franchise over the years it's so nice to have something like this added years later take such prominence and even have relatively simple retcons that help it brought into the stories that came before. Also Sparks really have evolved over the years, Chris this is probably my favorite episode of the basics Thank you! I always like in the G1 cartoon Megatron tragically reprogrammed Omega Supreme's friends The Constructicons with the Robo Smasher. That Machine was probably the precursor or the inspiration for Tarantulas Shell Program. Also The Spark is the greatest aspect of the mythos of the Transformers, since the mind and soul are regarded as the epicenter of emotions, the key component that makes the Transformers have actual life, and not just " Mindless machines. Also This is probably the most educational episode I've ever seen, I've ever seen, I've always wanted to know about these sparks in Transformers, thank you so much for doing this doing this topic Chris all i can say is: keep up the good work stay safe out there and have a goodnight and until next time TILL ALL ARE ONE.🙂🟢🦸🏋️💪👍 2:28pm.

[@Smgk551]

2:18 its like Freezing in to live on to the future

[@mekman4]

Very cool! I appreciate you highlighting this aspect of the Transformers! Great Stuff, as always!

[@mikeyjhilli]

I'm a big fan of and proponent of that personality component concept. There's alot that can be don with that. In my opinion. That G1 toon about the Combaticons was interesting. In my opinion.

[@ProfDragonite]

Sparks: what REALLY makes Transformers "More Than Meets The Eye".

[@sailordaigurren8225]

The idea that the All Spark is where every Transformer's spark is fused into a single mass makes the "Til All Are One" mantra a bit ominous, since it seems that would require all Transformers to die in order to reunite with the All Spark.

[@isabelrodriguezsjolund9701]

I've always assumed it's similar to how in Christianity there is the belief that the world as we know it will one day end and all souls will be resurrected and joined along god together with the living in a new paradise, one where death doesn't exist anymore.

[@Timeliner2004TF]

Hahah, made me think if SG Primus's goal will be in make all living bots ( or even all aliens ) across universe to eventually merge in one entity. Then phrase " Till All Are One " will getting very threating tone. Cool concept, isn't it ?

[@tyr0n313]

I could see that last line “…more than meets the eye” coming from a mile away.

[@ComicGuy74]

Wonderful video, Chris. Definitely one of my favorites I'll be rewatching!

[@phillipwalters7702]

Hey there Chris McFeely and fellow Transformers fans of this channel. I do apologize for the tardiness of my comment, but when this video was posted, I was busy getting ready and heading to work. Anyways, I just wanted to say that this video was absolutely awesome. I found the information to be honestly enjoyable and very interesting. The whole idea of the spark of Transformers being the soul of them is just a great idea that really helps give those more lore that can be used to help us understand more about this fan favorite series. Anyways thank you so much for this great video and wonderful information that does help us fan out more. Can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the next video. Until then, when all are one. Peace Out and Maximize.

[@ThyDungeonman2]

I always loved the psuedo-spiritual nature of Sparks, the Matrix, and all the mysticism tied to Transformers. It elevates it beyond JUST a more colorful rockem sockem robots game and makes the characters feel more real, more personal. I myself am not a very religious or particularly spiritual person, but the addition of these elements still speaks to me.

[@thatrealba]

Seriously top tier niche channel, man.

[@gundam833]

That was an awesome video Chris!💯👏🏻 Thank you so much for sharing this!❤

[@kira-dk2mx]

It's amazing how little story elements like the Matrix or the Spark go on to grow into their own thing over time.

[@brandonandcharlene9527]

There are so many stories that could told if there was some sort of continuation of the original animated series. One of those could be the story of how the Dinobots were presented to Vector Sigma to be true living Transformers sometime between S2 and TFTM, which would explain why their personalities were so different.

[@kidprime6863]

That is one possibility. They didn't have much of a personality in S1.

[@gabrielchee8470]

Y'know, I thought that would impossible. Then X-Men 97 happened. If Hasbro had the guts they could try.

[@Tman15000mc]

This is one of the best videos you have ever done!

[@billyboleson2830]

What I like about TF lore is that the writers almost always try to explain even the smallest of continuity errors unlike a lot of franchises which will just act like they don't exist

[@CasualRonin]

I do have a theory as to why certain bots can have their sparks placed in new bodies, but still have the programming of a Cybertronian Brain Unit. Sparks not only give life, but they are also shaped by the programming of the bot they give life to, and take on that programming as a part of themselves, to evolve the collective AllSpark. When placed in a new body that isn't preprogrammed, the Spark fills in that programming itself. When placed in a body that is preprogrammed, or when new programming is made to override existing programming, it also affects the Spark as it continues to evolve with the experience given to it. The original programming will still exist as part of the Spark's experience, but it can be affected by newly introduced programming. We see this especially with Rhinox and Silverbolt in Beast Machines as even when their original programming has been brought to the forefront, they are still affected by the Vehicon programming.

[@johnathanhagen9393]

Surprised that he didn’t mention Animated Starscream, when he died by Megatron’s hands, and then was able to come back to life with a fragment of the Allspark in his head, while his spark chamber was empty.

[@turtleboy4111]

Great video mate, awesome job as always. Thank you!

[@PRIMUS37K]

A excellent review! I learn more and more about transformers! Adding to my own knowledge of the series and the entire transformers universe! Been a fan since they started! I am a G1 fan! Now and forever!

[@liamwilliams1794]

Another reason to love beast wars. It gave us the spark!

[@gingervikingjesus2351]

Yet another banger in the BOOKS!! 😉🥃

[@ZeeengMicro]

I honestly prefer the idea that the G1 era had no clue or was only partially knowledgeable about the existence of spark, and they learned more about it after hundreds of years of scientific advancement leading to the Beast Wars era.

[@ChrisMcFeely]

That's the offiical position of Japanese continuity - the image you see at 6:10 is Wheeljack cracking open his personality component and discovering the existence of the spark inside!

[@adamsotillo3856]

Transformers sparks are so unexplainable just as the human soul, very, very interesting

[@jayglenn837]

Best episode yet!!

[@jermaineivey4699]

Very good stuff, you've connected it all so well

[@d-monfromthetip3073]

I read a comic about the dinobot post war. Iirc they were trying to guard a convey carrying a shipment of sparks. They failed but ended up finding a field where sparks grew. They were surprised the field was workong again but marked it up to the planet coming back to life again.

[@DETACON2005]

This was amazing......almost tearful

[@orkinusdelfinoideo8484]

The sparks ("chispas" in spanish and "centelhas" in portuguese) are a concept between soft ci-fi and sword and sorcery.

[@CoolWolfie709]

This video shows that Cybertronians are humans from another planet ❤️❤️

[@metal_fusion]

"Above all, do not lament my absence, for in my spark, I know that this is not the end, but merely a new beginning. Simply put, another transformation." - Optimus

[@SkyStarNova]

I have always preferred the cartoon lore over the comic/modern version. Even began writing a story in novel format about it, that I considered proposing to Hasbro, had I gotten the opportunity. Basically a real "Aligned Continuity" for G1, with a few exceptions, up until BM.

[@DankBlitzwing]

"We call it a Spark. It contains our life force... and, our memories". "Yeah, we call it a soul." Optimus and Cade regarding their humanity.

[@theonewhowatches869]

The way Sparks are described as coming from and returning to the Allspark makes me ponder Transformer reincarnation, which I don’t feel has really been explored all that much outside of Optimus sometimes being the reincarnated 13th Prime

[@DJMouthwash]

I think my favorite take on sparks was in Beast Wars Uprising where Lord Imperious Delirious (obscure character month?!?!), a sentient AI created by an organic species didn't consider Transformers to be real robots, but rather energy beings inhabiting mechanical shells.

[@stevesamuals2651]

It goes to show how much talent goes into making a sustainable franchise when even something like the soul of a living machine can be explained and reincorporated into lore without anyone calling out retcons.

[@Double_Blitzscream]

This is quite useful, i like the origins of cybertronian life generation.

[@baconator_x4098]

Another aspect of sparks that is sometimes touched on is that they can be very explosive see Rampage's death in Beast Wars or Whirl attacking a Sparkeater in IDW.

[@TheOneTrueDragonKing]

As a side note, GI JOE had a weapon component known as a Laser Core in the five-part mini-series "The Continuing Adventures of GI JOE" which took the form of a round, red disk with a white, throbbing center. The device was captured by COBRA in the first part of that mini-series and used in Destro's Weather Dominator. And in a rather-intriguing visual, the truck they used to transport said laser core looked very much like Optimus himself, albeit towing a laser cannon rather than a trailer. I have often wondered whether the human weapon component and the Transformer body component had any similarities other than the name. Or even if they might have been the same thing.