Wheeljack (G1)

2008-01-09T21:09:43Z

76.233.75.12: /* IDW comics continuity */

{{disambig3|Wheeljack}}
:''Wheeljack is an [[Autobot]] in the [[Generation 1]] continuity family.''

[[Image:Wheeljackg1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Optimus Prime! I built a machine that builds machines that build catapults! Come see 'em!...Yeah, we can wait for Ratchet.]]

'''Wheeljack''' is his own worst enemy. Something of a crackpot inventor, a good half of his creations blow up in his face, and that's just if he's lucky. He's simultaneously one of the Autobots' greatest assets and problems; for every successful gadget he builds, there's one which requires [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] or [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]] to put him (and his lab) back together. But once in a while he strikes gold, which has won him respect from even the Decepticons.

He is, however, not a [[Perceptor (G1)|complete nerd.]] As good as he is in the lab, Wheeljack is just as amazing on the road, since there're few stunts he can't pull off. He enjoys showing off both on the design table and on the streets.

:''French-Canadian name:'' '''Invento''', '''Cric''' (as Action Master)
:''Italian name:'' '''Saetta'''
:''Hungarian name:'' '''Kerék''' (Wheel); sometimes '''Kormányos Jack''' (meaning Steering-wheel Jack, Yoho!)

==Fiction==
===Marvel Comics continuity===
''(Events from the UK-only comics are in italics.)''

''Following the almost total defeat of the Autobots by [[Shockwave]], [[Ratchet]] returned to the Ark and began to reactivate the fallen warriors. Wheeljack was the second Autobot after [[Prowl]] to be brought back on-line, so that he could aid Ratchet with his technical skills. He saved the Autobots from total destruction by remote-controlling Optimus Prime's deactivated body and using it to intervene in [[Grimlock]]'s attempted execution of [[Guardian]], who had been booby-trapped with a nuclear bomb.'' {{Storylink|The Wrath of Guardian!}}

''Wheeljack was later an early casualty of a disastorous attack on Galvatron led by acting Autobot Commander [[Jetfire]].'' {{Storylink|Target 2006}}

''Wheeljack survived the Battle of Autobot City, as seen by being strung up by [[Quintessons]] in 2008. He wasn't seen after that, though [[Blaster]] survived the same treatment.'' {{Storylink|Space Pirates!}}

===Animated continuity===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Chris Latta]] (US), [[Osamu Saka]] (Japan) [[Katsumi Suzuki]] ([[Attack of the Autobots]] and [[Day of the Machines]] only)

[[Image:cybertronwheeljack.jpg|thumb|left|Boxy but safe.]]

Wheeljack was one of the original crew of [[Autobots]] aboard the ''[[Ark]]'' when it crashed into the Earth four million years ago. Originally a boxy-shaped transport affixed with retractable bumper-mounted cutting blades, Wheeljack was reformatted in 1984 to be a speedy and rare Lancia Stratos Turbo custom racing car. {{Storylink|More Than Meets the Eye, Part 1}}

Wheeljack was part of the battle unit organized by [[Jazz]] to first challenge the re-awakened [[Decepticons]] on Earth. He was involved in the battle at an off-shore oil rig, where the Autobots would meet the Witwickys, human workers that would befriend the Autobots. Wheeljack developed an especially close friendship with [[Sparkplug Witwicky]], as the two were both gifted mechanics. Wheeljack was next part of the team that attempted to stop the Decepticon plot to overload [[Sherman Dam]].

[[Image:Windcharger wheeljack otp.jpg|thumb|right|Truly, a look can be deceiving, but a touch can be lethal.]]

A restless engineer, Wheeljack has developed all manner of contraptions and equipment for his personal use and for use by his fellow Autobots, often with catastrophic results. He designed the compact yet extremely powerful explosive that nearly trapped the Decepticons in the [[Ruby Crystal Mines of Burma|ruby crystal mines of Burma]], a [[magnetic inducer]] device capable of stopping Transformers cold in their tracks, and a [[gyro-inhibitor]] shell that could incapacitate even Megatron for short spans.

Upon discovery of dinosaur bones in caverns within the [[Ark]]'s volcano, Wheeljack and Ratchet were inspired to construct robotic version of dinosaurs. The Dinobots were originally too dangerous and too primitive to control, leading to Optimus Prime commanding that the project be abandoned, but Wheeljack secretly persisted. He developed memory components that increased the [[Dinobots]]' intelligence, turning them into valuable, if sometimes unpredictable, members of the Autobot forces. {{Storylink|S.O.S. Dinobots}}

Concealed in Wheeljack's left wrist is a fire suppression system, which no doubt came in handy when one of his devices would blow up in his face.

Perhaps it was because Wheeljack was portrayed with an Italian American accent, that he was ultimately "whacked" in the feature film (''see'' The Sopranos). Arcee pulled his [[spark|life]]less chassis away from the battle to prevent the Decepticons from desecrating it. What a nice girl.

:''('''Note''': Wheeljack has the distinction of being the first Transformer to appear in an episode of the animated series.)''

{{-}}

===''Victory''===
:''Voice actor:'' [[Shinobu Satouchi]]

[[Image:WheeljackVictory1.jpg|left|250px|thumb| Um, that was my brother Jackwheel .]]

Wheeljack, [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]] and [[Minerva (G1)|Minerva]] were summoned by [[Star Saber (G1)|Star Saber]] to save the life of the fallen [[Ginrai]]. They succeeded, transforming the former [[transtector]] into the mighty [[Victory Leo]].

:''('''Note''': Wheeljack's not-being-deadness is never addressed. Though to Japanese viewers during the original airings, this was not a noticeable discrepancy, as the [[The Transformers: The Movie|movie]] where he died had not been shown in Japan until '''after''' ''Victory'' had aired. However, the original Movie storyboards show [[Smokescreen (G1)|Smokescreen]] as the dead Autobot next to [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]]). It is also possible that if [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] was successful with [[Operation: Distant Thunder]] then Wheeljack could have survived his apparent demise in the movie via [[Project Bodyshop]].''

{{-}}

===''Japanese G2===
[[Image:G2StoryPageWheeljackPerceptor1.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Umm... would you believe it was my identical cousin?]]

Wheeljack along with Perceptor and Jetfire discovered [[Reconfiguration Matrix|new properties]] of the matrix which allowed Optimus Prime to revive himself as Laser-Rod Optimus Prime after a crushing defeat by Megatron.

{{-}}

===Binaltech===
[[Image:BTWheeljack_art.jpg|left|thumb|200px|HEAVY METAL RULES!!!]]

When the Dinobots were injured in a Decepticon attack in the year 2005, Wheeljack headed to Earth to arrange the transplantation of [[Grimlock]]'s mind into a new Binaltech body. On his return journey to the Autobot's moonbase, however, his shuttle was hijacked by time-tossed Decepticon [[Ravage]], who had begun a plan to alter the course of history. Wheeljack was shown a brief glimpse of the near future - including the deaths of himself and many of his comrades - but managed to escape Ravage's clutches; Ravage himself promptly returned to Cybertron and exhumed the [[Kronosphere]], using it to tip the balance of the decisive battle occurring at that time. Whereas the outcome would have originally favored the Decepticons, leading to their total conquest of Cybertron, Ravage ensured an ''Autobot'' victory, altering history and leaving the heroes to face the looming threat of [[Unicron]] alone.

Aware that history had been altered, Wheeljack was faced with a dilemma - should he stop Ravage's plan and restore the timestream, even though it would mean the death of many Autobots, including himself? His salvation, he hoped, lay in the [[GT System]], a device that allowed a singular [[spark]] to simultaneously control many duplicate bodies. Dubbing his original body the "Alpha Unit," he constructed the "Beta Unit" based on Grimlock's Ford Mustang body, as well as the ominous third "Omega Unit," a mysterious body about which nothing is known.

The subsequent arrival of Unicron prompted the Autobots to initiate "Operation: Distant Thunder," which saw [[Skids (G1)|Skids]] use the chronal warp on [[Dinobot Island]] to send Wheeljack's memory data back in time, in hopes of alerting the Autobots in the past and preventing alteration to the timestream. The plan didn't go very well and only wound up throwing the timestream into a severe state of whack, until a mysterious [[Nemesis Prime (Alternators)|black Optimus Prime]] appeared and sealed the time portals that had been created. Operation: Distant Thuner had succeeded in preventing the mainline timestream's operation, but had also preserved the Binaltech timeline as its own, distinct divergent universe.

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
[[Image:Wheeljack dw6.jpg|right|thumb|Wheeljack calms a group of panicked humans by charging at them while brandishing a weapon.]]

''Wheeljack suffers from a mild form of [[mode attachment]], feeling more comfortable in his vehicle mode than robot mode. As a consequence he does his best thinking in vehicle mode, often while attempting something insanely dangerous.''<ref>[[Transformers: The Ultimate Guide]]</ref>

Wheeljack was part of Grimlock's unit, along with [[Kup]] and [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]. When the Decepticons placed Iacon under siege, Grimlock took his group to [[Kaon]] to look for Optimus Prime, who had gone seeking Megatron. While there, they discovered [[planetary engine turbine]]s that were providing power to a mechaforming process that was destroying [[Iacon]]. Arriving, Prime instructed Wheeljack to shut down the engines in a... creative way (it blowed up real good). The group managed to return to Iacon, where Prime halted his order to abandon the planet. {{storylink|The War Within}}

When Prime and Megatron disappeared during a [[space bridge]] explosion, Grimlock broke off from the Autobot army and formed the [[Lightning Strike Coalition]], taking his former subordinates with him. While Kup and the Dynobots attacked the [[Predacon (War Within)|Predacon]]s, Wheeljack and Ironhide hijacked some shuttles carrying raw [[Energon]], making Starscream very angry. That's always a plus. {{storylink|The War Within: The Dark Ages}}

Wheeljack was one of the engineers that designed and constructed the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'', and part of the ship's original crew.

In 1986, Ironhide and [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] discovered Wheeljack in pieces but functional after an explosion while bug-testing his neutron detonator shell.<ref>Dreamwave's More than Meets the Eye profile for Wheeljack</ref>

:''('''Note''': A version of the events of the Sunbow cartoon episode "[[Autobot Spike]]" appear to have taken place in the time between 1984 and 1998.)''

Wheeljack was among the Transformers involved in the ''[[Ark II]]'' disaster. He survived the explosion of their spacecraft, crashing back to Earth where he and [[Trailbreaker]] lay deactivated and frozen within an iceberg until awakened by [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. {{Storylink|Prime Directive issue 2}}

Wheeljack participated in the assault on [[Lazarus|Lazarus's]] Canadian Headquarters. When [[Robert Hallo|General Hallo's]] attempt to bomb the Autobots and the Decepticons out of existence instead caused a violent expansion of [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s [[cyber-virus]], Wheeljack and [[Mirage (G1)|Mirage]] were the first Autobots to free themselves. {{Storylink|Prime Directive issue 4}} While Prime took some of the Autobots after Megatron, Wheeljack diagnosed the nature of the cyber-virus, and created a set of anti-viral blasters that used the Autobots' energy to return the converted matter to normal. The intervention of Canada's military force scuttled that plan when they fired into the virus, expanding it beyond the point the Autobots could contain. {{Storylink|Prime Directive issue 5}}

In response, Wheeljack converted a nearby satellite dish into a giant anti-viral weapon, channeling all of his remaining energy into it. He succeeded in destroying the virus, but was left near death. {{Storylink|Prime Directive issue 6}}

Six months later, Wheeljack came back online just in time to participate in the short-lived truce with the Deceptions and the assault on [[Las Vegas]] to destroy the [[Keepers]]. {{Storylink|Keepers Trilogy}}

Later, when [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]] and [[Ultra Magnus (G1)|Ultra Magnus]] came to arrest the Autobots as war criminals, Wheeljack was one of the Autobots secretly left behind by Optimus Prime. {{Storylink|War and Peace}} Like most of the rest of that group of Autobots, Wheeljack was beaten to the point of stasis lock by [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]] some time later and dumped into a nearby swamp. He was dredged out by an [[EDC]] task force and repaired. Wheeljack was also instrumental in the planning and construction of [[Autobot City]]. {{Storylink|Generation One (Dreamwave comic)}}

===IDW comics continuity===
Wheeljack is part of a detachment of Autobots that has operated covertly on Earth for at least four years, attempting to foil a Decepticon insurgency. He appears to be continuing in his role of technical scientist and gadgeteer for the Autobot detachment; he builds a device that can interface the [[SM-40]] palmtop computer with the systems aboard the Autobots' ''[[Ark-17]]'' spacecraft. Wheeljack, like his fellow Autobots, would come to watch the showdown between Megatron and the [[Ore-13]]-powered Starscream. Later, after [[Escalation (issue 1)|the incident outside Lebanon, Illinois]], he and Jazz were sent to investigate a Springfield police impound lot which supposedly held [[Sunstreaker]]'s remains. Unfortunately, members of the [[Machination]] had already arrived with the same purpose in mind, and attacked the bots wielding advanced weaponry eerily similar to their own. Wheeljack escaped mostly unharmed, probably because Jazz took a direct hit from a mortar meant for him. {{storylink|Escalation (issue 2)}}

Wheeljack would get his first taste of real damage in [[Brasnya]] facing down Blitzwing and Astrotrain, and eventually the drained form of Megatron. Wheeljack has recently been assigned to work with Hot Rod in rescuing Ironhide, but yet again the Machination had decided to interfere{{m-}}this time in a confrontation with their army of experimental [[Headmaster]] clones. {{storylink|Devastation issue 2}} Wheeljack's constant tinkering paid off when he was able to escape the Headmasters using a [[gyro-inhibitor shell]]. {{storylink|Devastation issue 3}}

===Devil's Due G.I.Joe vs Transformers comics continuity===

==Toys==
===Generation 1===
* '''Wheeljack''' (1984, 1991)
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''C-03'''

[[Image:G1Wheeljack_toy.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Do your arms hang low? Do they wobble to and fro?]]

: The original Wheeljack toy, released as part of the 1984 series of Autobots, was based on a ''[[Diaclone]]'' Lancia Stratos Turbo. He comes with two rocket launchers that can fire four projectiles and two clear wings. In robot mode, the rocket launchers and the wings mount onto his shoulder and back respectively. For some reason, Wheeljack's lower arms/hands cannot lock into his upper arms, leaving them hanging at an angle.

: In 1986, he was made available as a mail-away item (as he was no longer shipping to retail shelves) in multiple offers, including [[Digital Doom on the Highway to Destruction]] flier packed with most boxed ''Transformers'' toys. He cost $8 and two [[robot points]].

: Unfortunately for many collectors, Wheeljack's mold has been damaged or destroyed, meaning his chances of future reissue looks bleak. The closest version of the figure to currency is the European [[Classics (Euro) | Classics]] reissue.

{{-}}
* '''Wheeljack''' (Action Master, 1990)
[[Image:AMWheeljack.jpg|right|thumb|70px|At least I come with the Miami Vice car.]]

: ''[[Action Master]]'' Wheeljack is a non-transforming action figure sculpted based upon his cartoon appearances. He comes with the [[Turbo Racer]], a large red sports car based upon the Ferrari Testarossa that can seat two ''Action Master'' figures. The Turbo Racer has an 'attack mode' where it transforms into something vaguely resembling an aircraft made from car parts.

: The Wheeljack figure was later repainted into [[Slicer]].

===Universe===
*'''Wheeljack''' (Spychanger, 2004)
[[Image:SpychangerWheeljack.jpg|left|thumb|80px|Where's your head at, at?]]

:This version of Wheeljack transforms into a Le Mans racing car. He is cast in white plastic with mostly black paint. The toy has several stickers to represent Wheeljack's earlier Lancia Stratos colours, including his racing number 539. He comes with a small black rifle that can be stored between his legs in vehicle mode.

:Universe Wheeljack is a [[redeco]] of Spychanger [[Daytonus]].

{{-}}

===Alternators===
* '''Wheeljack''' (2005)
:''Alternator ID number:'' '''13'''
: ''Japanese ID number:'' '''BT-14'''
[[Image:BTWheeljack_toy.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Mustang Wheeljack! You better slow your Mustang down!]]

: ''[[Alternators]]'' Wheeljack is a retool of ''Alternators'' [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]]. He transforms into a 2004 model Ford Mustang GT, painted white with blue stripes. In vehicle mode, he features highly realistic styling, opening doors, hood and trunk, as well as a detailed car interior. In robot mode his removable engine becomes a double-barreled laser. [[Image:Binaltech_Alternator_Wheeljack_Retool.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Alternator Wheeljack worked out so much he lost his neck.]]

:The Japanese Binaltech release has a slightly retooled head, different paint applications, and is partially constructed of die-cast metal.

{{-}}

==Merchandise==
*'''Wheeljack Bust''' (2003)

[[Image:Wheeljackbust.jpg|right|thumb|120px|Optimus Prime! I built a machine that will remove our legs and replace them with small pedestals. I call it the Immobilizer Mark II!]]

:[[Hard Hero]] released a polystone bust of Wheeljack, based upon his appearance in the Generation 1 television series.

*'''Wheeljack''' (2004)

[[Image:Wheeljackstatue.jpg|left|thumb|130px|Small, expensive, and puffy.]]

:Palisades released a 6-inch polystone statue of Wheeljack, based upon [[Pat Lee]]'s rendition of him in the Dreamwave comics.

{{-}}

==Trivia==
* The remold of [[Alternators]] [[Grimlock (G1)|Grimlock]] was originally planned to be [[Windcharger (G1)|Windcharger]] (presumably in red), but ultimately ended up as Wheeljack instead, with a new head sculpt. Meanwhile, the head sculpt originally intended for Ford-Windcharger ended up being used for the remold of Windcharger (the Honda S2000 mold) instead, now named "[[Decepticharge]]".

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tfu.info/1984/Autobot/Wheeljack/wheeljack.htm Wheeljack at TFU.info]

[[Category: Action Masters]]
[[Category: Alternators]]
[[Category: Autobots]]
[[Category: Engineers]]
[[Category: Generation 1 characters]]
[[Category: Headmasters characters]]
[[Category: Mail order items]]
[[Category: Scientists]]
[[Category: Universe characters]]
[[Category: Victory characters]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

Fusion cannon

2008-01-07T18:42:57Z

76.233.75.12: /* IDW */

{{disambig3|Cannon}}

[[Image:MTMtE Part3 ExtinctiontoallTraitors.jpg|right|thumb|250px|A release of lubricant is quite common when seeing this.]]
The '''Fusion Cannon''' is [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]]'s ultimate weapon. It is attached to his right arm and is devastatingly powerful, as demonstrated by its sudden removal of [[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]]'s head. (It's at least as powerful as [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress Maximus]]'s [[Media:Fortmaxgiveshead.jpg|hands]], then.) It strikes fear into the [[spark]]s of both the [[Autobot]]s and the [[Decepticon]]s, for any who challenge it will surely fail.

Except [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]]. Only he appears to be able to survive a shot from the fusion cannon, considering how many times Megatron has shot Prime.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
Presumably, this cannon is powered by some sort of <strike>nukular</strike> nuclear fusion reaction. Sometimes Megatron has been able to link up extradimensionally to a black hole to augment this power, increasing it astronomically, and making him look real cool and [[Ripped Up Space|space-rippy]] in the process. Most bodacious!

[[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]] had a big cannon, too, but it didn't work by fusion.

Fusion cannons are also oddly useful when you just wanna kick [[Starscream (G1)|your lieutenant]] for shooting you in the back but don't want to have to walk over to him...ya we don't question that.

===Generation 2===
As part of an agreement with [[Cobra]], Megatron's body was rebuilt to resemble a human tank, with his fusion cannon being replaced with a magnetic rail gun. WTF?

===Beast Wars===
Megatron loved his fusion cannon so much, he had another fusion cannon installed on the ''[[Nemesis (G1)|Nemesis]]''. The blast radius from the weapon is massive. Most kickass. It requires a power up time to fire again. Less kickass. {{storylink|Nemesis, Part 2}}

===Transformers (2007 Film)===
Megatron's cannon in the film is presumably telescopic, as he keeps it stored in his left arm when not in use. Its powerful blast is enough to knock Prime back three city blocks and requires Megatron to use both arms to steady the aim. Because Megatron is always concerned about collateral damage.

===IDW===

The fusion cannon was a gift from Starscream. Ironic how Megatron decided to pay him back a few hundred years later by blowing him to bits. Concept art for [[Megatron: Origin]] also shows that at one point in planning he would have worn a similar-looking jackhammer on his right arm.

===Animated===

G1 sound effects show the true power behind this mighty and possibly detachable
weapon.

[[Category: Weapons]]<div id="wikia-credits"><br /><br /><small>From [http://transformers.wikia.com Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki], a [http://www.wikia.com Wikia] wiki.</small></div>

MediaWiki - User contributions [en]

Wheeljack (G1)

Fusion cannon