Wheeljack
Encyclopedia
Wheeljack is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers
universes.
s in the Transformers
television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara
and Hasbro
. His vehicle mode is a Lancia Stratos Turbo
5 race car sporting Alitalia
livery. Note that car #539 is the only surviving Lancia Stratos Turbo, only two were ever built by Lancia (compared to the rest which feature a different bodyshell).
Wheeljack is described as the mad scientist of the Autobot forces as he is always inventing new weapons and gadgets. These weapons and gadgets, while derived from the desire to benefit the Autobot cause, often bring great danger and introduce unpredictable elements into critical situations. He is the most accomplished driver (while in car mode) among the Autobots and enjoys displaying his skill level through various road stunts. Wheeljack possesses the ability to fly for relatively short distances (800 miles) using solid-fuel rockets in his arms. From his shoulder mounted cannons, Wheeljack can shoot magnetic inducer, shrapnel-needle, and gyro-inhibitor shells which can disrupt a target's sense of balance. He is often his own worst enemy due to the explosive and potentially damaging nature of his experiments.
Transformers, making his first appearance in issue 1 of the original Marvel Comics
Transformers series. In the initial four issue limited series produced by Marvel, Wheeljack was part of Prime’s elite crew that crash landed on Earth. Wheeljack existed as more of a background character through much of the series, with an early co-starring role in issue #9 when he & Jazz went to negotiate with . B. Blackrock and battled Starscream
, Frenzy
and Circuit Breaker
.
In issue #32, titled "Used Autobots", Wheeljack completed work on his Geothermal Generator, which used the heat from the volcano the Ark had crashed in to generate energon cubes. Although Wheeljack thought this would impress Grimlock by reducing their dependence on human help, Grimlock seemed to think the Autobots should just take what they need from the humans.
In issue #36, Wheeljack called his old friend Sky Lynx
for help in order to save a group of human kids from Grimlock
. Grimlock attempted to use the children as blackmail against Blaster
, who was defecting from the Autobots. Shortly after, Wheeljack was severely injured in a Decepticon attack in issue 41. He and many other Autobots were later revived by Grimlock using "Nucleon" in issue 75 and hesitant to advise battling against Unicron in their recently revived state. Wheeljack met another end at the hands of the Decepticons in issue 80, but was restored by the "Last Autobot". He appeared sporadically as part of the Autobot forces in the G2 comic.
In the Marvel U.K. comics, he was one of five injured Autobots who were accidentally reactivated by Galvatron
when he probed their dreams looking for possible troops; it was revealed that soon after Jetfire
was given life by the Matrix, Wheeljack almost betrayed him to the Decepticons in return for technology and felt shame over this. He and Prowl were able to sucker-punch Galvatron, whom Wheeljack despised for his massacres during the Time Wars.
He later noted, along with Prowl, about how he missed the old days of non-gimmick based Transformer battles and that he was feeling outdated. Unfortunately he would soon get more than he bargained for as he and the other Earthforce members encountered Megatron, Shockwave
and their "original" Decepticons as members of the Autobot Earthforce unit. Wheeljack worked as Earthforce's engineer, creating a powerful defensive system - unfortunately, it could only be turned off from the inside and he'd taken everyone outside to show it to them! Apart from that mistake, he worked well. He was responsible for thwarting Mindwipe's
plot to brainwash humanity via nightlights, and repairing Tracks
.
Wheeljack was severely damaged by the Quintessons
in the six-part future arc Space Pirates.
(occasionally in cooperation with the human Sparkplug Witwicky), were often shown working together creating various devices, weaponry, and even additional Autobots. Often, these devices were sought and sometimes obtained by the Decepticon
s and used against the Autobots. In the episode "The Immobilizer", he created a device capable of "immobilizing" anything and Decepticon forces were able to capture and use the device against the Autobots.
Wheeljack was the primary architect of the Dinobots
, although they rarely seemed to have any particular affinity for him. Along with Ratchet and others he also helped to create the Aerialbots
out of old Cybertron
ian shuttles. As the series progressed, Wheeljack's responsibilities were increasingly taken on by the Autobot scientist Perceptor
.
In The Transformers: The Movie
, set in the year 2005, Wheeljack was assigned to Autobot City on Earth. Wheeljack was presumed killed in the invasion of Autobot City by Megatron’s forces, and his injured or possibly deceased body is dragged to cover by Arcee
. According to storyboards of un-made scenes he tried to help Mirage
but was blasted several times by Thundercracker and Megatron along with Windcharger. In the same storyboards, it is Smokescreen
, not Wheeljack, who lies dead, and Wheeljack himself can be seen alive during Devastator's attack. It is also worth noting that Wheeljack (and Windcharger's) bodies do not change colour to the grey black colour associated with Transformers when they die. Wheeljack also has an anomalous appearance in Transformers: Victory.
In fact, Wheeljack appeared among the Autobots in the U.S. animated toy commercials, for example, joining Optimus Prime in becoming an Action Master.
Wheeljack made a cameo in the pilot of the Transformers: Animated
series on a historical video being viewed by Optimus Prime. This historical video was stock footage from the original animated series. A new version was seen working with the Animated version of Perceptor in season 3.
Wheeljack made an appearance in 1989, in the later series Transformers: Victory in Japan. Wheeljack, along with Perceptor
and Minerva were called upon to save God Ginrai
, who they converted into Victory Leo.
Wheeljack was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.
command during the disastrous battle of Altihex and once again in a mission to rescue Optimus Prime in Cybertron's depths. When Megatron and Optimus disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions, and Wheeljack joined Grimlock's command once more in the Lightning Strike Coalition.
Wheeljack was among the Autobots commanded by Optimus Prime in the Ark mission, crashing deactivated on Earth and reawakening in Earth forms in 1984. Following initial Decepticon defeat and the explosion of the Ark II, the Autobots were deactivated and lost in the ocean. Wheeljack was among those reactivated by Optimus in 2002 and was part of a small task force led by Jazz assigned to stop the spread of Megatron’s deadly metal virus in the Canadian Northwest territories. Wheeljack was temporarily deactivated once more, using all his power to neutralise the virus.
When a Cybertronian task force came to arrest the Earth-bound Transformers in 2003, Wheeljack was once more placed under Jazz's command was one of the few Autobots left on Earth to guard the Ark. Later in the year, Starscream
and the Combaticons
launched a vicious assault that left Wheeljack deactivated. He was retrieved and repaired by the Earth Defense Command, and later rejoined the other Autobots to be shown the site of construction for the new Autobot City.
, the Ark, along with the Autobots and Decepticons within, is discovered by Cobra, who turn both factions into robotic drones to do their bidding. Wheeljack and Bumblebee
managed to escape discovery, and are awakened when Cobra seals the ship. The two of them hide out in plain sight, until they managed to get in the middle of a battle between Transformer-augmented Cobra forces and G.I. Joe, the elite combat unit recently formed to battle Cobra. Throwing their lot in with the Joes, Wheeljack gained access to an emergency signal that had been released into the net by Optimus Prime, and was able to not only track down Cobra's hidden island base, but also awaken all the Transformers, both Autobot and Decepticon, and free them from Cobra's control.
With the situation on Cobra island quickly turning into a three-way battle, Wheeljack and Bumblebee planned to join the Joes to assault the island, rondevous with the other Autobots, and together take down both Cobra and the Decepticons. However, a group of US generals had other plans: the Joes were to disable Wheeljack and Bumblebee and take them to Area 51
for study, while the island would be destroyed by nuclear weapons. Commander Hawk
reluctantly complied, hitting them with an EMP
device, but Wheeljack was able to maintain consciousness long enough to warn the Joes that a nuclear explosion would have a cataclysmic reaction with the Energon Cobra sought to synthesize. With the fate of the world at stake, the Joes disobeyed their orders and went with their original plan. On the island, Wheeljack, with the help of Bumblebee and a large force of Joes, managed to take down the mighty Devastator
, and helped Mainframe and Doctor Mindbender
stop the nuclear missiles from destroying the island, and a good portion of the earth as well.
's new The Transformers: Infiltration
mini-series, Wheeljack is part of an infiltration unit consisting of Ratchet
, Ironhide
, Jazz
, Bumblebee
and Sunstreaker
, led by Prowl
. He has not played a major role thus far, other than to accompany the other Autobots to the Decepticon base to watch the duel between Megatron and a super-powered Starscream
.
In The Transformers: Escalation
, when Sunstreaker
is presumed destroyed by the Machination, Wheeljack and Jazz
tracked them to their base - only to be temporarily disabled by the Machination's advanced weaponry. After this he accompanied Prime to Brasnya to hunt down Megatron and his human facsimile - only to wind up in battle with Skywarp
and Astrotrain
. He and Jazz put Skywarp to flight, but the Decepticon promised to return with reinforcements. They then confronted Megatron (who had nearly killed Optimus Prime). On Prime's orders, they focused fire on Megatron long enough for Prime to recover and drive off the Decepticon leader, although they were prevented from dealing a killing blow by the appearance of Skywarp
and Thundercracker
.
In The Transformers: Devastation
, both Wheeljack and Hot Rod were given the assignment of stopping a wounded Ironhide from being pneumatically compacted at a junkyard in Warsaw. While both Autobots were en route to save their comrade, they were intercepted by Headmaster versions of Sunstreaker created by the Mechination.
Optimus Prime leads Bumblebee, Drift, Kup, Prowl, Ratchet and Wheeljack in Las Vegas
when a Cybertronian ship crashes containing Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and an infestation of zombies from another universe. Galvatron attempts to take command of the Autobots, and after fighting them explains his mission to stop an undead infestation. Wheeljack sets up an energy shield around the city to keep the infestation contained, but it will only last for 24 hours. Kup recognizes a Decepticon named Bayonet in Galvatron's command as not being right, and she is revealed to be the extradimensional vampire Britt.
, called "Frank the Halls." In the story Optimus Prime and his Autobots (Bumblebee, Jazz and Wheeljack) battle Megatron and his Decepticons (Soundwave and Starscream) when Optimus runs out of gas. Optimus becomes enraged at the price of gas, steals the fuel from the annoying hybrid Autobot Prius Maximus, then joins the Decepticons in destroying the city.
on Cybertron. When they were both caught in a conflagration on the battle field, and Wheeljack was pinned beneath debris, Hot Shot was forced to leave him to get him help, but was prevented from returning to his friend's side by his commander. Wheeljack believed that Hot Shot had abandoned him, and when Megatron found and rescued him, he swore loyalty to the Decepticon commander. As a result of damage inflicted either on the battle field or by the debris, Wheeljack's Autobot insignia had been slashed through. In an act of symbolism, he kept that same insignia on his chest, even once he had switched to the Decepticon cause. However, he does have a small Decepticon insignia under his Autobot insignia. In the present day, Wheeljack arrived on Earth around the same time as the Autobot, Side Swipe, and baited Hot Shot into a fiery face-off, forcing them to relive the past and put their issues to rest so they could go on to battle as enemies. Hot Shot won the day, and something inside Wheeljack seemed to soften, as, when both factions returned to Cybertron, he granted Hot Shot an audience with Megatron (now Galvatron
), and worked closely and faithfully with him during the Unicron Battles and survives. Wheeljack transforms into a sports car, and possesses the power of teleportation. Additionally, he can create illusionary duplicates of himself. His toy is partnered with the Mini-Con
Wind Sheer (Hawk), who does not appear in this capacity in the animated series. The toy also includes two missiles, which Wheeljack can hold in his hands in robot mode. Though these are seemingly intended as batons, Wheeljack does not often use them for melee combat in the animated series, as they appear to be blasters as well.
, being one of those guarding Megatron's rocket base in the desert.
Armada Wheeljack appeared in the Transformers: Energon comic series. Wheeljack would appear only once before Dreamwave
folded, albeit in flashback, in Transformers: Energon #30. In this flashback we would see Scorponok
leading Wheeljack Thundercracker
, Predacon, Terrorsaur
and Skywarp
against the Autobots in an unspecified battle on Cybertron. In Megatron’s battle barge, Starscream warned Megatron to watch out for Scorponok as Thrust
, Cyclonus
and Demolishor
piloted the barge.
Armada Wheeljack also was set to appear in the unreleased issue 31 of the Transformers: Energon comic series.
, who greatly resembles the Generation One Wheeljack. It is generally assumed that Energon (Transformers: Superlink in Japan)'s Wheeljack/Downshift is neither the same character as the Autobot deserter Wheeljack, nor the Mini-Con Downshift from Armada.
Energon's Downshift is carried over to Transformers: Cybertron, as an early 1970s era muscle car based on either a 1970-74 Plymouth Barracuda
, or 1970-71 Dodge Challenger
who again turns into an homage of Wheeljack.
published in issue #15 of the Transformers Collectors Club Magazine, the original lineup pitched for the Autobots in the live-action Transformers film was Optimus Prime, Arcee, Jazz, Ironhide, Prowl, Ratchet, Wheeljack and Bumblebee.
Wheeljack appeared in the film Transformers: Dark of the Moon. He has an Albert Einstein
-like head, whereas in the prequel comics he had a head homaging his original one. He turns into a Blue Mercedes-Benz E550, and speaks with an Irish
accent. During the production of the movie, his was adressed as Que, as a reference to the James Bond
character "Q
" who supplies him with high tech weapons and equipment.
He later appeared in Philadelphia where he also introduces his partner Mirage
to Sam Witwicky during a Decepticon attack. He was injured by Shockwave, and Ratchet noted that his repairs would cause Wheeljack to look different.
Wheeljack is a playable character who transforms as a sports car similar to his G1 incarnation. In the story, Wheeljack is mentioned by Ratchet. Ratchet informs Optimus Prime that Wheeljack warned him of the incoming Decepticon drones. Later in the story line, Hound
mentions that Wheeljack and him created a virus the stop the Decepticlone army.
Wheeljack appeared in the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, a text based story from Fun Publications
. He created an army of Dinobots based loosely on the designs of Grimlock
.
Although not depicted directly, Wheeljack is one of the many Autobots aboard the Ark in Do Over. The Ark launches from Cybertron for Earth under the command of Rodimus
and is followed by the Decepticon ship Nemesis, under the command of Starscream
. While battling over Earth it is shot down by human defense systems.
based on a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda
, rather than his original modern sports car
mode, which is based on the 1976 Lancia Stratos
Turbo. However, as of this point, this remains unconfirmed until more information is finally given.
could take his place and infiltrate the Autobots' base. However, Wheeljack manages to break out of the Decepticon's warship and defeat his impostor with Bulkhead's help. Soon after, with his ship repaired, Wheeljack takes his leave to travel through space once more.
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...
universes.
Transformers: Generation 1
Wheeljack is the mechanical engineer and scientist of the AutobotAutobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
s in the Transformers
Transformers (toy line)
The is a line of toys produced by the American toy company Hasbro. The Transformers toyline was created from toy molds mostly produced by Japanese company Takara in the toylines Diaclone and Microman. Other toy molds from other companies such as Bandai were used as well...
television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara
Takara
Takara Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company founded in 1955, that merged with another prominent Japanese toy company, Tomy Co., Ltd., on March 1, 2006 to form Takara Tomy, also known in English as TOMY Company Ltd....
and Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
. His vehicle mode is a Lancia Stratos Turbo
Lancia Stratos
The Lancia Stratos HF, widely and more simply known as Lancia Stratos, is a car made by Italian car manufacturer Lancia. The HF stands for High Fidelity...
5 race car sporting Alitalia
Alitalia
Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. , in its later stages known as Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. in Extraordinary Administration, was the former Italian flag carrier...
livery. Note that car #539 is the only surviving Lancia Stratos Turbo, only two were ever built by Lancia (compared to the rest which feature a different bodyshell).
Wheeljack is described as the mad scientist of the Autobot forces as he is always inventing new weapons and gadgets. These weapons and gadgets, while derived from the desire to benefit the Autobot cause, often bring great danger and introduce unpredictable elements into critical situations. He is the most accomplished driver (while in car mode) among the Autobots and enjoys displaying his skill level through various road stunts. Wheeljack possesses the ability to fly for relatively short distances (800 miles) using solid-fuel rockets in his arms. From his shoulder mounted cannons, Wheeljack can shoot magnetic inducer, shrapnel-needle, and gyro-inhibitor shells which can disrupt a target's sense of balance. He is often his own worst enemy due to the explosive and potentially damaging nature of his experiments.
Marvel Comics
Wheeljack was one of the original AutobotAutobot
Autobot, a faction of sentient robots from the planet Cybertron, are usually the main protagonists in the fictional universe of the Transformers, a collection of various toys, graphic novels, paperback books, cartoons and movies first introduced in 1984. In all but one Transformer story, the...
Transformers, making his first appearance in issue 1 of the original Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
Transformers series. In the initial four issue limited series produced by Marvel, Wheeljack was part of Prime’s elite crew that crash landed on Earth. Wheeljack existed as more of a background character through much of the series, with an early co-starring role in issue #9 when he & Jazz went to negotiate with . B. Blackrock and battled Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
, Frenzy
Frenzy (Transformers)
Frenzy is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. Wired Magazine once nominated him as one 12 most ridiculous Transformers of all time.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Circuit Breaker
Circuit Breaker (Transformers)
Circuit Breaker is a fictional comic book character in the 1980s Marvel Comics Transformers series.-Fictional character biography:After being severely injured in a raid for Earth oil by the Decepticon Shockwave, computer genius Josie Beller was left paralyzed in both legs and one arm...
.
In issue #32, titled "Used Autobots", Wheeljack completed work on his Geothermal Generator, which used the heat from the volcano the Ark had crashed in to generate energon cubes. Although Wheeljack thought this would impress Grimlock by reducing their dependence on human help, Grimlock seemed to think the Autobots should just take what they need from the humans.
In issue #36, Wheeljack called his old friend Sky Lynx
Sky Lynx
Sky Lynx is the name of several different characters in the fictional Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Sky Lynx consists of two separate components: a space shuttle that can transform into a bird-like creature , and a ground transport vehicle,...
for help in order to save a group of human kids from Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
. Grimlock attempted to use the children as blackmail against Blaster
Blaster (Transformers)
Blaster is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers television and comic series based on the popular toy line produced by Takara Tomy and Hasbro. Due to trademark reasons, he is sometimes called Autobot Blaster...
, who was defecting from the Autobots. Shortly after, Wheeljack was severely injured in a Decepticon attack in issue 41. He and many other Autobots were later revived by Grimlock using "Nucleon" in issue 75 and hesitant to advise battling against Unicron in their recently revived state. Wheeljack met another end at the hands of the Decepticons in issue 80, but was restored by the "Last Autobot". He appeared sporadically as part of the Autobot forces in the G2 comic.
In the Marvel U.K. comics, he was one of five injured Autobots who were accidentally reactivated by Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
when he probed their dreams looking for possible troops; it was revealed that soon after Jetfire
Jetfire
Jetfire is the name of several fictional characters from the Transformers universes. He is nearly always depicted as an Autobot with jet or space shuttle alternate mode.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
was given life by the Matrix, Wheeljack almost betrayed him to the Decepticons in return for technology and felt shame over this. He and Prowl were able to sucker-punch Galvatron, whom Wheeljack despised for his massacres during the Time Wars.
He later noted, along with Prowl, about how he missed the old days of non-gimmick based Transformer battles and that he was feeling outdated. Unfortunately he would soon get more than he bargained for as he and the other Earthforce members encountered Megatron, Shockwave
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
and their "original" Decepticons as members of the Autobot Earthforce unit. Wheeljack worked as Earthforce's engineer, creating a powerful defensive system - unfortunately, it could only be turned off from the inside and he'd taken everyone outside to show it to them! Apart from that mistake, he worked well. He was responsible for thwarting Mindwipe's
Mindwipe (Transformers)
Mindwipe is the name of two fictional characters in the Transformers toy line and fictional series by Hasbro. Both are Decepticons.-Transformers: Generation 1:Mindwipe is a Decepticon Headmaster who transforms into a bat....
plot to brainwash humanity via nightlights, and repairing Tracks
Tracks (Transformers)
Tracks is a character in the Transformers Universes. The name is now too generic to license in recent times; so the toys creator, Hasbro had to add a "modifier" - a prefix to the name in order to use it on their product, in this case the name became "Autobot Tracks" or "Turbo...
.
Wheeljack was severely damaged by the Quintessons
Quintessons
Quintessons are fictional aliens from the Transformers universe. Within the TV series, they are the creators of the Transformers, although in most other fictional universes featuring the Transformers, they have no such status...
in the six-part future arc Space Pirates.
Animated series
Wheeljack, who was voiced by Chris Latta, was the first Transformer ever shown in the Generation 1 cartoon series. Also, his is one of the few Cybertronian vehicle forms shown - in his case, a boxy van-like vehicle. His robot form is distinguished by large bulbs on either side of his head that light up when he speaks. In most episodes, he was seldom seen at the front lines in battle - but he was often fundamental to the plot. He, and the Autobot medic RatchetRatchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...
(occasionally in cooperation with the human Sparkplug Witwicky), were often shown working together creating various devices, weaponry, and even additional Autobots. Often, these devices were sought and sometimes obtained by the Decepticon
Decepticon
The Decepticons are usually depicted as the antagonists in the fictional universes of the Transformers stoyline and related comics and cartoons, and the enemies of the Autobots and the University of California Davis Aggies...
s and used against the Autobots. In the episode "The Immobilizer", he created a device capable of "immobilizing" anything and Decepticon forces were able to capture and use the device against the Autobots.
Wheeljack was the primary architect of the Dinobots
Dinobots
Dinobots is the name of several teams of characters in the fictional Transformers Universe. The groups are made up of several robots, each of whose transformed mode is that of a dinosaur or similar prehistoric animal. They are called Dinotrons in the Japanese version; and ' in the Japanese dub of...
, although they rarely seemed to have any particular affinity for him. Along with Ratchet and others he also helped to create the Aerialbots
Aerialbots
The Aerialbots are a group of Autobots that transform into aircraft and combine to form the giant robot Superion. They were introduced into the Transformers toyline in 1985 and sold as a Superion gift set, and then sold separately in 1986 in most department stores...
out of old Cybertron
Cybertron
Cybertron is a fictional planet, the homeworld of the Transformers in the various fictional incarnations of the metaseries and toyline by Hasbro. In the Japanese series, the planet is referred to as "Cybertron" pronounced as セイバートロン Seibātoron...
ian shuttles. As the series progressed, Wheeljack's responsibilities were increasingly taken on by the Autobot scientist Perceptor
Perceptor
Perceptor is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Perceptor transforms into a microscope ....
.
In The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie
The Transformers: The Movie is a 1986 animated feature film based on the animated series of the same name. It was released in North America on August 8, 1986 and in the UK on December 5, 1986....
, set in the year 2005, Wheeljack was assigned to Autobot City on Earth. Wheeljack was presumed killed in the invasion of Autobot City by Megatron’s forces, and his injured or possibly deceased body is dragged to cover by Arcee
Arcee
Arcee is the name of a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. She is a female Autobot, usually pink in color. Being the most famous of the Female Transformers, she has two primary forms...
. According to storyboards of un-made scenes he tried to help Mirage
Mirage
A mirage is a naturally occurring optical phenomenon in which light rays are bent to produce a displaced image of distant objects or the sky. The word comes to English via the French mirage, from the Latin mirare, meaning "to look at, to wonder at"...
but was blasted several times by Thundercracker and Megatron along with Windcharger. In the same storyboards, it is Smokescreen
Smokescreen (Transformers)
Smokescreen is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Smokescreen is one of the second year Autobot Cars in the Transformers series. His toy was remolded from Prowl and Bluestreak, itself originating from an earlier Japanese line...
, not Wheeljack, who lies dead, and Wheeljack himself can be seen alive during Devastator's attack. It is also worth noting that Wheeljack (and Windcharger's) bodies do not change colour to the grey black colour associated with Transformers when they die. Wheeljack also has an anomalous appearance in Transformers: Victory.
In fact, Wheeljack appeared among the Autobots in the U.S. animated toy commercials, for example, joining Optimus Prime in becoming an Action Master.
Wheeljack made a cameo in the pilot of the Transformers: Animated
Transformers: Animated
Transformers Animated is an American animated television series based on the Transformers toy line. The series debuted on Cartoon Network on December 26, 2007 and has been shown on NickToons in the UK since February 2008. It is produced by Cartoon Network Studios and animated by Japanese animation...
series on a historical video being viewed by Optimus Prime. This historical video was stock footage from the original animated series. A new version was seen working with the Animated version of Perceptor in season 3.
Wheeljack made an appearance in 1989, in the later series Transformers: Victory in Japan. Wheeljack, along with Perceptor
Perceptor
Perceptor is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Perceptor transforms into a microscope ....
and Minerva were called upon to save God Ginrai
Ginrai
Ginrai, occasionally spelled Jinrai and also known as both Super Ginrai and God Ginrai, and later rebuilt as Victory Leo, is a fictional character from the animated series Transformers: Super-God Masterforce and its toy line, one of the Transformers series exclusive to Japan...
, who they converted into Victory Leo.
Books
Wheeljack was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Dinobots Strike Back by Casey Todd.Wheeljack was featured in the 1985 Find Your Fate Junior book called Battle Drive by Barbara Siegel and Scott Siegel.
Dreamwave Productions
Wheeljack was a scientist turned soldier on Cybertron at the dawn of the Autobot and Decepticon civil war. He was under Grimlock'sGrimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
command during the disastrous battle of Altihex and once again in a mission to rescue Optimus Prime in Cybertron's depths. When Megatron and Optimus disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions, and Wheeljack joined Grimlock's command once more in the Lightning Strike Coalition.
Wheeljack was among the Autobots commanded by Optimus Prime in the Ark mission, crashing deactivated on Earth and reawakening in Earth forms in 1984. Following initial Decepticon defeat and the explosion of the Ark II, the Autobots were deactivated and lost in the ocean. Wheeljack was among those reactivated by Optimus in 2002 and was part of a small task force led by Jazz assigned to stop the spread of Megatron’s deadly metal virus in the Canadian Northwest territories. Wheeljack was temporarily deactivated once more, using all his power to neutralise the virus.
When a Cybertronian task force came to arrest the Earth-bound Transformers in 2003, Wheeljack was once more placed under Jazz's command was one of the few Autobots left on Earth to guard the Ark. Later in the year, Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
and the Combaticons
Combaticons
The Combaticons are a group of Decepticon military vehicles in the assorted fictional universes of the Transformers.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
launched a vicious assault that left Wheeljack deactivated. He was retrieved and repaired by the Earth Defense Command, and later rejoined the other Autobots to be shown the site of construction for the new Autobot City.
Devil's Due Publishing
In this crossover series with G.I. JoeG.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is a military-themed line of action figures and toys in Hasbro's G.I. Joe franchise. The toyline lasted from 1982 to 1994, producing well over 500 figures and 250 vehicles and playsets. The line reappeared in 1997 and has continued in one form or another to the...
, the Ark, along with the Autobots and Decepticons within, is discovered by Cobra, who turn both factions into robotic drones to do their bidding. Wheeljack and Bumblebee
Bumblebee
A bumble bee is any member of the bee genus Bombus, in the family Apidae. There are over 250 known species, existing primarily in the Northern Hemisphere although they are common in New Zealand and in the Australian state of Tasmania.Bumble bees are social insects that are characterised by black...
managed to escape discovery, and are awakened when Cobra seals the ship. The two of them hide out in plain sight, until they managed to get in the middle of a battle between Transformer-augmented Cobra forces and G.I. Joe, the elite combat unit recently formed to battle Cobra. Throwing their lot in with the Joes, Wheeljack gained access to an emergency signal that had been released into the net by Optimus Prime, and was able to not only track down Cobra's hidden island base, but also awaken all the Transformers, both Autobot and Decepticon, and free them from Cobra's control.
With the situation on Cobra island quickly turning into a three-way battle, Wheeljack and Bumblebee planned to join the Joes to assault the island, rondevous with the other Autobots, and together take down both Cobra and the Decepticons. However, a group of US generals had other plans: the Joes were to disable Wheeljack and Bumblebee and take them to Area 51
Area 51
Area 51 is a military base, and a remote detachment of Edwards Air Force Base. It is located in the southern portion of Nevada in the western United States, 83 miles north-northwest of downtown Las Vegas. Situated at its center, on the southern shore of Groom Lake, is a large military airfield...
for study, while the island would be destroyed by nuclear weapons. Commander Hawk
Hawk (G.I. Joe)
Hawk is a fictional character from the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero line of military-themed toys. He appears in the animated series, comic books, toyline, and movie.-Profile:...
reluctantly complied, hitting them with an EMP
Electromagnetic pulse
An electromagnetic pulse is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. The abrupt pulse of electromagnetic radiation usually results from certain types of high energy explosions, especially a nuclear explosion, or from a suddenly fluctuating magnetic field...
device, but Wheeljack was able to maintain consciousness long enough to warn the Joes that a nuclear explosion would have a cataclysmic reaction with the Energon Cobra sought to synthesize. With the fate of the world at stake, the Joes disobeyed their orders and went with their original plan. On the island, Wheeljack, with the help of Bumblebee and a large force of Joes, managed to take down the mighty Devastator
Constructicons
right|thumb|Scavenger, Bonecrusher, Longhaul, Scrapper & Mixmaster - five of the original six Constructicons The Constructicons are a group of fictional characters from the various Transformers continuities...
, and helped Mainframe and Doctor Mindbender
Doctor Mindbender
Dr. Mindbender is a fictional character from the 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero toyline, comics, and animated series. He is a scientist who works for the fictional terrorist organization Cobra.-Profile:...
stop the nuclear missiles from destroying the island, and a good portion of the earth as well.
IDW Publishing
In IDW PublishingIDW Publishing
IDW Publishing, also known as Idea + Design Works, LLC and IDW, is an American publisher of comic books and comic strip collections. The company was founded in 1999 and has been awarded the title "Publisher of the Year Under 5% Market Share" for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 by Diamond Comic...
's new The Transformers: Infiltration
The Transformers: Infiltration
The Transformers: Infiltration is a six-issue comic book mini-series, published by IDW Publishing, based on the Transformers. The series was previewed with a #0 in October, 2005, formally launched with #1 in January 2006 and ended with #6 in July....
mini-series, Wheeljack is part of an infiltration unit consisting of Ratchet
Ratchet (Transformers)
Ratchet is the name of several characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ratchet was named after the character of Nurse Ratched from the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The name Ratchet is almost always portrayed as...
, Ironhide
Ironhide
Ironhide is the name of several different fictional characters in the Transformers universes. According to the original creator of the Transformers names, Bob Budiansky, Ironhide was named after the television series Ironside.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Jazz
Jazz (Transformers)
Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
, Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
and Sunstreaker
Sunstreaker
Sunstreaker is the name of two fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. The first is one of the main Autobot cars from the original Transformers series...
, led by Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
. He has not played a major role thus far, other than to accompany the other Autobots to the Decepticon base to watch the duel between Megatron and a super-powered Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
.
In The Transformers: Escalation
The Transformers: Escalation
The Transformers: Escalation is a six-issue comic book mini-series, published by IDW Publishing, based on the Transformers and following on from The Transformers: Infiltration. The series launched in November 2006 and ended in April 2007....
, when Sunstreaker
Sunstreaker
Sunstreaker is the name of two fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. The first is one of the main Autobot cars from the original Transformers series...
is presumed destroyed by the Machination, Wheeljack and Jazz
Jazz (Transformers)
Jazz is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a music loving robot and talks with a slang accent. He is also a good friend of Optimus Prime's...
tracked them to their base - only to be temporarily disabled by the Machination's advanced weaponry. After this he accompanied Prime to Brasnya to hunt down Megatron and his human facsimile - only to wind up in battle with Skywarp
Skywarp
Skywarp is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy line. He is usually depicted as a black or purple Decepticon jet with teleportation powers.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Astrotrain
Astrotrain
Astrotrain is the name of three fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons who can assume the form of a space shuttle.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. He and Jazz put Skywarp to flight, but the Decepticon promised to return with reinforcements. They then confronted Megatron (who had nearly killed Optimus Prime). On Prime's orders, they focused fire on Megatron long enough for Prime to recover and drive off the Decepticon leader, although they were prevented from dealing a killing blow by the appearance of Skywarp
Skywarp
Skywarp is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy line. He is usually depicted as a black or purple Decepticon jet with teleportation powers.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
and Thundercracker
Thundercracker
Thundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
.
In The Transformers: Devastation
The Transformers: Devastation
The Transformers: Devastation is a six-issue comic book miniseries, published by IDW Publishing, based on the Transformers and following on from The Transformers: Escalation. Issue 1 of Devastation was released on October 3, 2007, with issue 2 following on the 24th of October and was published...
, both Wheeljack and Hot Rod were given the assignment of stopping a wounded Ironhide from being pneumatically compacted at a junkyard in Warsaw. While both Autobots were en route to save their comrade, they were intercepted by Headmaster versions of Sunstreaker created by the Mechination.
Optimus Prime leads Bumblebee, Drift, Kup, Prowl, Ratchet and Wheeljack in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
when a Cybertronian ship crashes containing Galvatron, Cyclonus, Scourge and an infestation of zombies from another universe. Galvatron attempts to take command of the Autobots, and after fighting them explains his mission to stop an undead infestation. Wheeljack sets up an energy shield around the city to keep the infestation contained, but it will only last for 24 hours. Kup recognizes a Decepticon named Bayonet in Galvatron's command as not being right, and she is revealed to be the extradimensional vampire Britt.
Other appearances
A parody of the Generation 1 Transformers was aired in the December 23rd 2008 episode of Frank TVFrank TV
Frank TV was a sketch comedy show starring Frank Caliendo, Mike MacRae, and Freddy Lockhart. Frank was the host of the show and performed in sketches in full makeup as characters he impersonated. Frank joked he "wanted the show to be called The Chappelle Show, but the lawyers wouldn't allow it"...
, called "Frank the Halls." In the story Optimus Prime and his Autobots (Bumblebee, Jazz and Wheeljack) battle Megatron and his Decepticons (Soundwave and Starscream) when Optimus runs out of gas. Optimus becomes enraged at the price of gas, steals the fuel from the annoying hybrid Autobot Prius Maximus, then joins the Decepticons in destroying the city.
Toys
- Generation 1 Autobot Car Wheeljack (1984)
- The toy that was to become the Autobot Wheeljack was originally released as part of the Japanese DiacloneDiacloneDiaclone was a toyline by Takara Toys launched in 1980. It consisted of transforming vehicles and robots piloted by miniature, magnet-shoed figures spun off from the prior Microman toy line that were in turn called an Inch-Man....
series by Takara. He was later released in 1984 by Hasbro in the U.S. According to a panel discussion at BotConBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
2005, the original Wheeljack mold is "no longer available," and is most likely destroyed, limiting the likelihood of a future reissue of the toy. - During the Diaclone era, a second variant of the toy was released, sporting a different head sculpt and a Marlboro Racing livery.
- Generation 1 Action Masters Wheeljack (1990)
- In 1990, Wheeljack was released as an Action Master toy, driving his own invention - the Turbo racer, a car that transforms into a jet.
- Action Master Wheeljack was later repainted as the Decepticon Slicer.
- Universe Spy Changer Wheeljack (2004)
- Wheeljack would appear again in the Transformers: Universe toy line as a Spy Changer toy, a repaint of Robots In Disguise Daytonus (who was in turn based on an unused Generation 2 Go-Bot mold), in the colors of the original Generation One Wheeljack. He turns into a Porsche 962. Two packaging versions of this toy existed - a Kaybee version which did not attribute the toy to Universe (the packaging resembled latter-year Armada packaging, but with no subtitle under the Transformers name) and was packaged in vehicle form, and a version for discount stores which did and was packaged in robot mode. The Universe storyline has yet to feature Wheeljack in this form.
- Wheeljack is a genius at combining throw-away objects into incredibly effective weapons. He is also a spectacular driver who never passes up a chance to show off his high-speed prowess. Arsenal includes a magnetic inducer sheel, gyro inhibitor and an ever-changing array of new gadgets.
- Alternators Wheeljack (2005)
- In an alternate Generation 1 timeline based on the Binaltech/Alternators toy line, the events of Transformers: The Movie did not occur due to temporal manipulation by the Decepticon RavageRavage (Transformers)Ravage is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Due to the inability to trademark the common word "ravage", he is sometimes called Battle Ravage, Command Ravage or Tripredacus Agent...
. After an encounter with Ravage during which the Decepticon showed him a window into the future where Wheeljack and his comrades were destroyed. Using this knowledge, Wheeljack escaped his fate on Autobot City and converted his body using the Binaltech process into a white 'street tuned' Ford Mustang GT, a retooled version of GrimlockGrimlockGrimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
. In his new body, he possesses enhanced strength, defenses and he is also equipped with the "GT" system. Wheeljack is only the second Binaltech Autobot following Smokescreen GT to actually make use of the "GT" technology as part of the "Body Shop" project. The GT technology allows Wheeljack to control several doubles of himself. Currently, the storyline has Wheeljack faced with the dilemma of stopping Ravage - and therefore guaranteeing his own destruction - or saving himself and risking the future.
- Generations Deluxe Wheeljack (2011)
- A white remold of the Deluxe Turbo TracksTracks (Transformers)Tracks is a character in the Transformers Universes. The name is now too generic to license in recent times; so the toys creator, Hasbro had to add a "modifier" - a prefix to the name in order to use it on their product, in this case the name became "Autobot Tracks" or "Turbo...
figure from the 2010-2011 Reveal the Shield toy line, but with a different head sculpt and an added body kit to the car mode. In comparison to Tracks, the legs on Wheeljack are reversed so that the hood parts are the front of the legs and the front end parts form the feet. The figure's instruction manual states that the car mode, just like Tracks, has a flight mode.
- United UN-19 Deluxe Wheeljack (Takara Tomy) (2011)
- The Japanese version of the Reveal the Shield Wheeljack figure by Takara TomyTakara Tomyis a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
.
Transformers: Armada
The name Wheeljack was reused in Transformers: Armada; this time for a Decepticon.Animated series
Wheeljack (Rampage in Japan) was formerly an Autobot serving in the same company as Hot ShotHot Shot (Transformers)
Hot Shot is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are young Autobot cars.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:In Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Hot Shot is the leader of the Spy Changer team....
on Cybertron. When they were both caught in a conflagration on the battle field, and Wheeljack was pinned beneath debris, Hot Shot was forced to leave him to get him help, but was prevented from returning to his friend's side by his commander. Wheeljack believed that Hot Shot had abandoned him, and when Megatron found and rescued him, he swore loyalty to the Decepticon commander. As a result of damage inflicted either on the battle field or by the debris, Wheeljack's Autobot insignia had been slashed through. In an act of symbolism, he kept that same insignia on his chest, even once he had switched to the Decepticon cause. However, he does have a small Decepticon insignia under his Autobot insignia. In the present day, Wheeljack arrived on Earth around the same time as the Autobot, Side Swipe, and baited Hot Shot into a fiery face-off, forcing them to relive the past and put their issues to rest so they could go on to battle as enemies. Hot Shot won the day, and something inside Wheeljack seemed to soften, as, when both factions returned to Cybertron, he granted Hot Shot an audience with Megatron (now Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
), and worked closely and faithfully with him during the Unicron Battles and survives. Wheeljack transforms into a sports car, and possesses the power of teleportation. Additionally, he can create illusionary duplicates of himself. His toy is partnered with the Mini-Con
Mini-Con
Mini-Cons are a human-sized race and faction of power-enhancing transforming robots in the Transformers: Armada universe and its sequels, one of the assorted universes in Transformers fiction...
Wind Sheer (Hawk), who does not appear in this capacity in the animated series. The toy also includes two missiles, which Wheeljack can hold in his hands in robot mode. Though these are seemingly intended as batons, Wheeljack does not often use them for melee combat in the animated series, as they appear to be blasters as well.
Dreamwave Productions
Wheeljack had a brief cameo in issue 12 of the Armada comic from Dreamwave ProductionsDreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
, being one of those guarding Megatron's rocket base in the desert.
Armada Wheeljack appeared in the Transformers: Energon comic series. Wheeljack would appear only once before Dreamwave
Dreamwave Productions
Dreamwave Productions was a Canadian art design studio and comic book publisher founded in 1996 and is best known for their multiple Transformers comic book series...
folded, albeit in flashback, in Transformers: Energon #30. In this flashback we would see Scorponok
Scorponok
Scorponok is the name shared by several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons that turn into Scorpoins.- Transformers: Generation 1:...
leading Wheeljack Thundercracker
Thundercracker
Thundercracker is the name given to multiple fictional characters in the Transformers universes. Thundercracker is almost always depicted as a blue color Decepticon who turns into a jet fighter.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, Predacon, Terrorsaur
Terrorsaur
Terrorsaur is the name of several fictional characters from the world of Transformers universes.Terror-Saur is an amalgamate of terror and saur .-Beast Wars:...
and Skywarp
Skywarp
Skywarp is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers toy line. He is usually depicted as a black or purple Decepticon jet with teleportation powers.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
against the Autobots in an unspecified battle on Cybertron. In Megatron’s battle barge, Starscream warned Megatron to watch out for Scorponok as Thrust
Thrust (Transformers)
Thrust is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. The original character was an evil red Decepticon jet, with most of the following character using the name Thrust being a variation on that concept...
, Cyclonus
Cyclonus
Cyclonus is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:The tech spec from the box art of the Cyclonus toy describes him as a compassionless Decepticon air warrior and saboteur...
and Demolishor
Demolishor
Demolishor is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Armada:Demolishor is one of the earliest created Decepticons of the toyline; and in the storyline, also one of the first to come to Earth from his homeworld - the fictional planet...
piloted the barge.
Armada Wheeljack also was set to appear in the unreleased issue 31 of the Transformers: Energon comic series.
Toys
- Micron Densetsu Rampage with Hawk
- The Japanese version of the figure which would become Armada Wheeljack came not only with his Mini-Con Windsheer (Hawk), but the Takara version of the Air Assault Team.
- Armada Wheeljack with Windsheer (2003)
- Wheeljack was represented as a grey, yellow and white sports car in his Armada incarnation. He came with a Mini-Con (Windsheer, based on an F-117 NighthawkF-117 NighthawkThe Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground-attack aircraft formerly operated by the United States Air Force . The F-117A's first flight was in 1981, and it achieved initial operating capability status in October 1983...
) which linked to him via his roof and enabled his gull-wing doors to open. The doors contained missiles which could be fired when the doors were opened. As in the cartoon, the Autobot insignia on the car bonnet is sliced through (revealing circuitry underneath) with a small Decepticon logo underneath. He also has a Decepticon logo on his arm. Wheeljack is regarded as one of the best toys in the Armada line. - The mold for this figure was also used for the BotConBotConBotCon, briefly known as "The Official Transformers Collectors' Convention" , is an annual convention for Transformers fans and collectors. BotCon has been held annually since 1994...
'08 exclusive Timelines Sideswipe. Originally, this variant was to be released as Drench in the Transformers: UniverseTransformers: UniverseTransformers: Universe is a line of toys that consists of re-painted and re-released toys from various Transformers lines of toys. For the comic book series see Transformers Universe .- Toy line :...
line, but plans for it were canceled.
Transformers: Energon
Wheeljack is the Japanese name of the Autobot DownshiftDownshift
Not to be confused with Downshifting, the social trend.Downshift is the name of three fictional characters in the Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:This Autobot's function is Security Agent, and he transformed into a white Toyota Supra...
, who greatly resembles the Generation One Wheeljack. It is generally assumed that Energon (Transformers: Superlink in Japan)'s Wheeljack/Downshift is neither the same character as the Autobot deserter Wheeljack, nor the Mini-Con Downshift from Armada.
Energon's Downshift is carried over to Transformers: Cybertron, as an early 1970s era muscle car based on either a 1970-74 Plymouth Barracuda
Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda is a 2-door car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964-1974.The first-generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had a distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964-1966.The...
, or 1970-71 Dodge Challenger
Dodge Challenger
The Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler.The first generation Dodge Challenger was a pony car built from 1970 to 1974, using the Chrysler E platform and sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second...
who again turns into an homage of Wheeljack.
Transformers
According to an interview with producer Tom DeSantoTom DeSanto
Tom DeSanto is an American film producer and screenwriter. DeSanto is best known for his work with long time friend Bryan Singer, especially with his contributions to the first two X-Men movies.-Education:...
published in issue #15 of the Transformers Collectors Club Magazine, the original lineup pitched for the Autobots in the live-action Transformers film was Optimus Prime, Arcee, Jazz, Ironhide, Prowl, Ratchet, Wheeljack and Bumblebee.
Wheeljack appeared in the film Transformers: Dark of the Moon. He has an Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history...
-like head, whereas in the prequel comics he had a head homaging his original one. He turns into a Blue Mercedes-Benz E550, and speaks with an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
accent. During the production of the movie, his was adressed as Que, as a reference to the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
character "Q
Q
Q is the seventeenth letter of the basic modern Latin alphabet.- History :The Semitic sound value of Qôp was , a sound common to Semitic languages, but not found in English or most Indo-European ones...
" who supplies him with high tech weapons and equipment.
IDW Publishing
Wheeljack debuted in the story, helping to bring a Sun into Cybertron's solar system to end another war.He later appeared in Philadelphia where he also introduces his partner Mirage
Mirage (Transformers)
Mirage is any of several distinct fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Mirage is one of the single most re-used names in the Transformers series, and is almost entirely synonymous with characters possessing Formula One racing car alternate modes.-Transformers Generation 1:Some...
to Sam Witwicky during a Decepticon attack. He was injured by Shockwave, and Ratchet noted that his repairs would cause Wheeljack to look different.
Movie plot
Que/Wheeljack assists in the destruction of an illegal nuclear facility in the Middle East, posing as a Defense Minister's car. At NEST he supplies the other Autobots with weaponry, including a new cannon for Ironhide and introduces himself to Director Mearing. He is presumably killed when the Autobot's ship is destroyed, but survives along with the others. During the battle in Chicago, he supplies Sam, Epps and their team with grapple gloves and boom sticks (which Sam later uses to kill Starscream), but is captured by Soundwave, Barricade and several other Decepticons. Barricade and Soundwave decide to execute Que/Wheeljack, Bumblebee and the three other captured Autobots and starts with him. He tries to talk to the Decepticons about not killing them, but a Decepticon Protoform blasts him and Barricade finishes him off with a blast to the back which knocks his head off. His death is soon avenged when Bumblebee kills Soundwave, who ordered his death, and the Decepticon Protoform, who was partially responsible for Que/Wheeljack's death, minutes later. Barricade is later killed by several soldiers who coincidentally use boomsticks created by Que to cripple him.Video games
The player's main Autobot tells Bumblebee that Wheeljack gave him an upgrade to hold a large number of alternate forms.Wheeljack is a playable character who transforms as a sports car similar to his G1 incarnation. In the story, Wheeljack is mentioned by Ratchet. Ratchet informs Optimus Prime that Wheeljack warned him of the incoming Decepticon drones. Later in the story line, Hound
Hound (Transformers)
Hound is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. He is sometimes referred to as Autobot Hound for trademark purposes.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
mentions that Wheeljack and him created a virus the stop the Decepticlone army.
Toys
- Dark of the Moon Deluxe Class Wheeljack (December 2011)
An all new figure featuring a Mech Tech saw/blaster, a spear and two pistols.
Transformers: Timelines
An evil mirror-universe version of Generation 1 Wheeljack appeared in the Transformers: Timelines series. He is a mad scientist who wants to prove himself a genius to others.Fun Publications
An evil version of Wheeljack was mentioned in the Transformers Collectors Club prelude to the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, printed in the Transformers Collectors Club magazine issue #22.Wheeljack appeared in the fiction Dungeons & Dinobots, a text based story from Fun Publications
Fun Publications
Fun Publications is a publishing company that runs the Transformers Collectors Club and G.I. Joe Collectors Club under licensefrom Hasbro. Besides releasing comics, Fun Publications releases exclusive toys and runs conventions for their clubs....
. He created an army of Dinobots based loosely on the designs of Grimlock
Grimlock
Grimlock is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers universes. He is usually portrayed as a tough leader who turns into a mechanical dinosaur...
.
Although not depicted directly, Wheeljack is one of the many Autobots aboard the Ark in Do Over. The Ark launches from Cybertron for Earth under the command of Rodimus
Rodimus
Rodimus is the name of a fictional character from the various Transformers universes. Rodimus is a young Autobot and succesor to Optimus Prime. He was formerly known as Hot Rod, but was reformatted as Rodimus Prime by the Matrix of Leadership and became the leader of the Autobots...
and is followed by the Decepticon ship Nemesis, under the command of Starscream
Starscream (Transformers)
Starscream is a fictional character in the Transformers franchise. He is one of the most prolific characters in the Transformers fictional work, appearing in almost all incarnations of the story. Starscream is usually portrayed with the same characterization...
. While battling over Earth it is shot down by human defense systems.
Transformers Animated
Wheeljack cameoed in the third season of Transformers Animated. His appearance is very G1-based, although he now has a utility belt and what appears to be facial hair. Furthermore, unlike his previous incarnations, he is a little taller, much bigger, and stronger, with a very heavy-set body. He is also a member of the Autobot Council. Judging by the looks of him, his vehicle mode is most likely a futuristic, burly muscle carMuscle car
Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." Usually, a large V8 engine is fitted in a...
based on a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda
Plymouth Barracuda
The Plymouth Barracuda is a 2-door car that was manufactured by the Plymouth division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1964-1974.The first-generation Barracuda, a fastback A-body coupe based on the Plymouth Valiant, had a distinctive wraparound back glass and was available from 1964-1966.The...
, rather than his original modern sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
mode, which is based on the 1976 Lancia Stratos
Lancia Stratos
The Lancia Stratos HF, widely and more simply known as Lancia Stratos, is a car made by Italian car manufacturer Lancia. The HF stands for High Fidelity...
Turbo. However, as of this point, this remains unconfirmed until more information is finally given.
Animated series
Wheeljack briefly appeared in the third season premiere "Transwarped". He was seen with Perceptor unveiling the end result of Project Omega, Omega Supreme. Wheeljack did not speak or transform in his appearance, and was not seen for the remainder of the series.Fun Publications
Wheeljack's biography was printed in issue #25 of the Transformers Collectors Club magazine.Transformers: Prime
Wheeljack has appeared in Transformers: Prime. Prior to the series storyline, Wheeljack was a member of the Wreckers with Bulkhead and made a name for himself as an Autobot war hero. He carries a pair of swords that can deflect energy blasts.Animated series
Wheeljack first appeared in the episode "Con Job." Arriving to Earth upon receiving a reply from the Autobots, Wheeljack's arrival does not go as planned due to the Decepticons intercepting the communication and abducting him so MakeshiftMakeshift (Transformers)
Makeshift is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series, the latest one being a villainous Decepticon in the Transformers: Prime television series.-Transformers: Armada:...
could take his place and infiltrate the Autobots' base. However, Wheeljack manages to break out of the Decepticon's warship and defeat his impostor with Bulkhead's help. Soon after, with his ship repaired, Wheeljack takes his leave to travel through space once more.
Toys
- Prime Cyberverse Wheeljack (not yet released, 2012)
- Prime Deluxe Wheeljack (not yet released)
External links
- tfu.info's page on the original toy, which also contains links to other toy incarnations of Wheeljack.
- Gallery of Generation One Wheeljack
- Gallery of Alternators Wheeljack
- Transformers Wiki pages for Generation One Wheeljack, Armada Wheeljack, Movie Wheeljack, and Animated Wheeljack.