[Toys] Transformers Prime: Deluxe Wheeljack

Screw the Robots In Disguise title, screw the new Revealers class name, I'm going to title these properly.

So yes. Still haven't found the two hard-to-find Deluxes I've been searching for, but this guy caught my attention...

Wheeljack is one of the various characters from Prime who appeared for an episode. He's Bulkhead's old war buddy and both of them were part of Prime's version of the Wreckers, whatever that implies. The character of Wheeljack is not that much like his G1 self who was a kooky scientist, and receives some backlash due to being very much like Drift with his twin swords, though it's been said by the production team that when he shows up again season 2 he will get some more development that goes beyond what we saw of him before. Good to know if there's anyone interested. Anyway!

Wheeljack's alt mode wasn't seen in the show, but it's GORGEOUS. I love the look of this car. With the angular lines and the singular windshield design, it's really up my ally in terms of car designs, this coming from someone who can't tell the difference between a Ford and a Toyoda. The white is a nice lively tone with an effective shades of red and green accenting it.

The transformation from vehicle to robot mode has some mixture of simple and intricate, nothing leaving you stumped or stuck for 20 minutes like SOME movie toys, and overall everything is very solid. Things lock into place where they need to and do so firmly. Everything about the transformation is right up my ally, and the things the front hood does to turn into legs is just brilliant.

The robot mode itself... Okay, first thing to get out of the way; The arms are REALLY big. They're kiiinda on-model, but I do notice they're just a bit longer than they need to be. Specifically the upper arm area needs to be smaller, if I'm following the character art right. The way they're articulated also makes them feel a bit limited, while he can bend his elbow just enough, it feels sort of... off. I'm also not that much of a fan of the battle mask that makes him more G1-y, him and Optimus seem more in-character when the masks are off, but that's a personal nitpick. Some would demand the opposite.

Apart from that, the robot mode is brilliant. Every detail is just as it should be, just a few paint apps need to be applied if you really need them. I've been told that there's been people who observe HD screencaps of him from the show and can pick up little engraved detailing on the toy that syncs up with the show design. It's evident that they put a lot of work into making this guy as close to the show as possible, a lot of love for someone minor.

Of course, this version of Wheeljack wields two blades. These were not so enticing to me until I realized how much you could do with them. The official promo pics of course show you can peg them onto the front of the car... for whatever reason... they can be stored under the car as well if you want to hide them. But also, in robot mode they can be stored in the back (loosely - you wouldn't know it unless you saw him do it in the show), and his shoulder pads (rear sides of car) have holes which the pegs on the sword hilt can plug into. Said pegs also work with any standard weapon peg, so you're basically given a place to put guns or Mini-Cons, if you do wish. The fact they include stuff like this on him in such a subtle way is kind of cool, you're given options that don't ruin the toy in any way.

Also, as a followup to the arm length, I've found that he looks much better if you have him in an action pose. That seems to just be how the arms are; they aren't build for standing around, they're built to be dynamic. A price to pay, but they do look good when you make good use of them.

United under the sun...

So, what is there to say? I think if you were a fan of Wheeljack in the show or in general, he's neat. Just be sure you can deal with the arms being the way they are. That aside, he's solid, simple and fun, all things I think are important with Transformers toys.