Wheeljack

Encyclopedia : W : WH : WHE : Wheeljack

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Transformers Character
Wheeljack
Affiliation	Autobot (Cybertron)
Sub-Group	Autobot Cars, Lightning Strike Coalition
Function	Mechanical Engineer
Motto	"Never do what your enemy expects you to do."
Alternate mode(s)	Lancia Stratos Turbo
Series	G1 cartoon, Marvel Comics, Dreamwave Comics, IDW Comics
Voiced by	Chris Latta (English) Osamu Saka (Japanese)

Wheeljack is the name of several characters in the various Transformers Universes.

Generation One (1984)

Wheeljack (Invento in France, Saetta in Italy) is the scientist (and warrior) of the Autobots 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 racing car.

The toy that was to become the Autobot Wheeljack was originally released as part of the Japanese Diaclone series by Takara. He was later released in 1984 by Hasbro in the US. According to a panel discussion at BotCon 2005, the original Wheeljack mold is "no longer available," and is most likely destroyed, limiting the likelihood of a future reissue of the toy.

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.

Action Master

In 1990 Wheeljack was released as an Action Master toy.

Tech Spec: Wheeljack built and currently drives the Turbo Racer, the most versatile ground/air attack vehicle ever made. In car Mode, its energon-injected, liquid nitrogen-cooled engine accelerates the craft from 0 to 250 mph in just 3 seconds. Armed with Laser-strafer rifle and a rear-mounted cannon that fires shrapnel and incendiary projectiles. Car instantly converts into jet fighter with nose mounted proton missile launcher.

Action Master Wheeljack was later repainted as the Decepticon Slicer.

Animated Series

Wheeljack, who was voiced by Chris Latta, was the first Transformer ever shown in the G1 cartoon series. 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, the Autobot medic Ratchet and 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 Decepticons 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 he also helped to create the Aerialbots out of old Cybertronian shuttles. As the series progressed, Wheeljack's responsibilities were increasingly taken on by the Autobot scientist Perceptor.

In , set in the year 2005, Wheeljack was assigned to Autobot City on Earth. Wheeljack was killed in the invasion of Autobot City by Megatron’s forces, and his deceased body dragged to cover by Arcee. Interestingly, in the storyboards for the movie, it is Smokescreen, not Wheeljack, who lies dead, and Wheeljack himself can be seen alive amidst Devastator's attack. This may account for his anomalous appearance in Transformers: Victory.

Wheeljack made an appearance in 1989, in Transformers: Victory in Japan. Wheeljack, along with

Marvel Comics

Wheeljack was one of the original Autobot 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.^{[#endnote_WheeljackFirstMarvel]} Wheeljack existed as more of a background character through much of the series. In issue 36, Wheeljack called 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".

Marvel UK

In the UK comics, Wheeljack was severely damaged by the Quintessons in the six-part future arc "Space Pirates". He also served as a member of Grimlock's "Earthforce" team. He noted, along with Prowl, about how he missed the old days of non-gimmick based Transformer battles.

Dreamwave Comics

In the 21st century re-imagining of the Generation One continuity by Dreamwave Productions, Wheeljack was a scientist turned soldier on Cybertron at the dawn of the Autobot and Decepticon civil war.

When civil war broke out on the planet Cybertron between the Autobots and Decepticons, Wheeljack joined the Autobot cause.

Wheeljack was present under the command of Grimlock at the battle of Altihex where the Autobot Overhaul was killed and Decepticon Seekers Thundercracker and Skywarp destroyed a transport full of neutral Cybertronians. Unable to save the city, the Autobot helped evacuate civilians (Transformers: The War Within #1).

When Decepticon leader Megatron and Autobot leader Optimus Prime disappeared in an accident with a space bridge, the Autobot and Decepticon forces splintered into smaller factions. Wheeljack joined the Lightning Strike Coalition under the leadership of Grimlock.

Grimlock lead L.S.C. members Ironhide, Kup, Slag, Sludge, Snarl, Swoop and Wheeljack in stealing a shipment of energon from Starscream and the Predacons at the Moon Alpha Space Port (Transformers: The War Within - The Dark Ages #1).

Six million years ago, Ultra Magnus united the Autobot factions and lead them to victory over Decepticon and Ultracon factions, although Starscream's Predacons continued to fight. Megatron returned to Cybertron in command of the clone forces of the Aerospace Extermination Squadron and took over Cybertron (Transformers: War Within - The Age of Wrath #1).

Wheeljack was among the Autobots enslaved under the rule of Megatron, until Optimus Prime returned to Cybertron and freed the Autobots.

Wheeljack was among the Autobots who followed Optimus Prime on his mission on board the Ark. They were attacked by Megatron's ship, the Nemesis. After being boarded the Ark crash landed on Earth, where all on board were preserved in emergency stasis.

In 1984, when the Ark's computer re-activated, it reformatted Wheeljack as in the form of an Earth car.

Following the awakening of the Transformers on Earth, the Autobots allied with humankind and eventually defeated the Decepticons at the turn of the century. Following the "Ark II Tragedy," several Autobots, including Wheeljack, were lost in the frozen waters of the arctic. Optimus Prime awakened Wheeljack and several others using the Matrix. He was part of a small task force lead by Jazz assigned to stop the spread of Megatron’s deadly metal virus in the Canadian Northwest territories. Wheeljack sacrificed himself to neutralize the effects of the metal virus, draining all of his power and sending him into stasis lock.

However, it was later revealed that Wheeljack had subsequently been repaired following his near death experience.

In 2003 the Autobots and Decepticons on Earth were drawn into conflict in Alaska, where they were interrupted by a taskforce from Cybertron lead by Shockwave. Among Shockwave's troops were Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Broadside, Octane and Sandstorm. They announced that the war had ended on Cybertron and that Megatron and Optimus Prime's troops were all criminals for their violent acts. Shockwave severely injured Megatron and took the other Decepticons on his shuttle, as the Autobots retreated to the Ark. Ironhide was treated for injuries received in the battle by Ratchet. Blitzwing joined up with a second team from Cybertron lead by Ultra Magnus, followed by Dirge, Ramjet the Thrust. They faced the Autobots at the crash site of the Ark. As the Decepticons traveled to Cybertron, Starscream ejected the wounded Megatron into deep space (Transformers Generation One II #1).

When Ultra Magnus came to Earth claiming that the Earth-based Autobots were Cybertronian criminals Optimus Prime surrendered and with the majority of Autobots returned to Cybertron. Jazz was left in charge of the Ark, with Brawn, Ratchet, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger assigned to him.

Returning to Earth with the Combaticons, Starscream reformatted them into Earth-style vehicles and attacked the Autobots remaining on Earth. Forming Bruticus, the Combaticons defeated Jazz, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, Wheeljack and Windcharger. Only Ratchet and Brawn escaped capture, but as they made their way back to the Ark, they discovered it's defenses on automatic, and had to fight their way inside. Bruticus followed them and Ratchet had to destroy the Ark in failed attempt to destroy Bruticus. Starscream eventually captured Ratchet and Brawn, right as an Autobot shuttle and Sunstorm arrived on Earth (Transformers: Generation One III #1).

Jazz, Warpath, Bumper, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker rejoined the Windcharger and Wheeljack, who were repaired by the Earth Defense Command. They all rejoined Ratchet on board the Autobot ship Orion (Transformers: Generation One III #9).

Landing in Alaska, Wheeljack and the other Autobots met Prowl's team back from Cybertron. They were shown the site of construction for the new Autobot City (Transformers: Generation One III #10).

IDW Publishing

Fall of 2005 was the third re-launch for The Transformers comic series, this time under the management of IDW Publishing. Wheeljack and several other G1 favorites are set to return in the first six issue mini-series "Transformers: Infiltration". The series will be another new continuity for the Wheeljack character.

Generation Two

Although there was no Wheeljack toy in Generation Two, the character of Wheeljack did appear in the Marvel Generation Two comic book series.

(2003)

Wheeljack (Rampage in Japan) was formerly an Autobot serving in the same company as Hot Shot 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. In the present day, Wheeljack arrived on Earth around the same time as the Autobot, Sideswipe, 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 returns to Cybertron, he granted Hot Shot an audience with Megatron (now Galvatron), and worked closely and faithfully with him during the Unicron Battles. 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.

(2004)

Wheeljack is the Japanese name of the Autobot Downshift, who greatly resembles the Generation One Wheeljack.

Comic Series

Armada Wheeljack appeared in the Transformers: Energon comic series.

Transformers: Energon #30 – Flashback to the war on Cybertron long ago where Scorponok leads Wheeljack, Predacon, Terrorsaur and Skywarp against the Autobots. In Megatron’s battle barge, Starscream warns Megatron to watch out for Scorponok as Thrust, Cyclonus and Demolishor pilot the barge.

Armada Wheeljack also was set to appear in the unreleased issue 31 of the Transformers: Energon comic series.

(2004)

Wheeljack would appear again in the Transformers: Universe toy line as a Spychanger toy, a repaint of Robots In Disguise Daytonus (who was in turn based on an unused Generation Two 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 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.

Function: Mechanical Engineer

Motto: "Never do what your enemy expects you to do."

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.

There is also a Transformers: Universe version of Energon Downshift, who is called Wheeljack in Japan.

Alternators (2005)

In an alternate G1 timeline based on the Binaltech/Alternators toy line, the events of Transformers: The Movie did not occur due to temporal manipulation by the Decepticon Ravage. 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, a retooled version of Grimlock. 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.

References

• Macchio, Ralph, Bill Mantlo (w), Springer, Frank (p) and DeMulder, Kim (i). "The Transformers." The Transformers v1 #1 (Sep. 1984), Marvel Comics.
• Sarracini, Chris (w), Lee, Pat (p) and Armstrong, Rob, Erik Sander (i). "Prime Directive." The Transformers: Generation One v1 #1-6 (Mar.-Sep. 2002), Dreamwave Productions.
• Mick, Brad (w), Lee, Pat (p) and Armstrong, Rob (i). "War and Peace." The Transformers: Generation One v2 #1-6 (Apr.-Sep. 2003), Dreamwave Productions.

External links

• [tfu.info's page] on the original toy, which also contains links to other toy incarnations of Wheeljack.

 

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