Witwicky, Sparkplug

Cartoon Bio (US):

Sparkplug and Spike Witwicky

"Sparkplug" Witwicky and his son, Spike, were workers on an oil rig, although his talents apparently extended to both mechanical and electrical components. After the Autobots saved his life following a Decepticon attack, he volunteered to help them during their stay on Earth. Usually paired with Ratchet and occassionally Wheeljack, he eventually became knowledgeable enough to repair even extensive damage on Transformers.

Comic Bio (US):

A car mechanic, Irving "Sparkplug" repaired Bumblebee (in car mode) only because his son Buster pleaded for his help. When Bumblebee transformed, verifying Buster's story, Sparkplug immediately offered to help the Autobots to get fuel. Decepticons found this out and kidnapped him, using Laserbeak to scare him into cooperating. During this time, he revealed his first name to be "William." He was rescued by Gears and Spider-Man, but not before he created a fuel conversion process for Megatron. Upon discovering this, several Autobots became enraged, not knowing that the formula was a fake and actually poisonous. Fearing for his life, Sparkplug tried to leave, but Jazz blocked his way with a wall of flames. This set off a heart attack in him, and Ratchet quickly took him and Buster to the nearest hospital, where he was treated.

Upon recovering, he wanted nothing to do with the Transformers, including the Autobots. He was thrilled to find that Buster was able to fix cars during his absence, thinking it meant Buster wanted to follow in his footsteps. In reality, Buster had been endowed with the Creation Matrix by Optimus in order to hide it from Shockwave. Sparkplug eventually found out, but forgave his son for associating with the Autobots even after promising not to.

Years later, Sparkplug decided to add a car wash and gas station to his garage business. He eventually decided upon a Blackrock Industries "Wash 'N Roll" unit. In reality, the unit was a Decepticon creation which brainwashed anyone who entered the car wash part, for the purpose of draining fuel from their own cars into the Decepticon oil collectors. This was so successful that Ratbat decided to step up his plan with the new "Wash 'N Roll II." When Blackrock selected Sparkplug to test out the new contraption, he stated that his first name was "Irving," seemingly contradicting his earlier claim of "William." Buster eventually discovered the plot and foiled it by reversing the hypnosis in everyone.

Some time later, Buster tried to help some Autobots trapped in the bodies of toy cars. In trying to locate him, Ratbat destroyed the Witwicky home with Sparkplug in it; apparently, he held a grudge from the Wash 'N Roll incident (also known as the Carwash of Doom). Buster was eventually caught. Spike, Sparkplug's elder son, returned home to find his brother. When Sparkplug found out that Spike allowed himself to be bio-engineered into a Headmaster just to find Buster, he became more bitter than ever towards the Autobots. He was so angry that when Ethan Zachary called him up to help Optimus Prime, Sparkplug refused and hung up. When Buster was suspected to be at Club Con, Sparkplug was asked to help in a reconaissance mission. He agreed reluctantly, saying, "I'd shake hands with the devil himself" to get Buster back. Jesse, Buster's girlfriend, convinced him to allow her to go in his place. Since the Witwickys were reunited, Sparkplug has seemed to return to his old self, although it is not known at this point how he reacted to Spike's recent death.

With contributions by Iggy Drougge, David Cook(?), and J.M. McFadden.

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