Another year has come and with it, a new line of Transformers figures. The War for Cybertron continues, this time on Earth with the sub-line of Earthrise. Having shed their more unique vehicle forms for Earth-based alt-modes, it’s like 1984 again as the Transformers wage their war on Earth once more.

But are the figures any good?

We look today at the mad scientist of the Autobots, Wheeljack. He comes in the Deluxe scale figure, retailing for $19.99 MSRP, and is in the mid-range of size for that size of figure. With the War for Cybertron line moving to adult collectibles, there is a higher focus on the figures having large numbers of articulated joints and remaining faithful to the characters’ animated forms.

On those fronts, Wheeljack is a resounding success. The articulation for him is incredible, with ankle tilts to allow for a wide range of leg stances, and two separate waist rotation joints due to his transformation. While Wheeljack is boxy in the torso, this also fits his original animated incarnation and provides a good spot to hide his head when in vehicle mode. He transforms into a modified version of a Lancia Stratos, his original vehicle mode from the 1984 wave of toys, again molded wonderfully. It looks close enough that the vehicle is easily identifiable, with a ton of detail in the mold itself.

The paint job is also spectacular, with a lot of fantastic in-jokes as sponsorship decals on the vehicle mode. The only real complaint is that the paint used for the eyes is often too faint to show up from a distance, but fans can fix that if they’re clever enough.

Transformation is easy, but the flaws of the Wheeljack figure rear their head here. One of the arms of the sample we have kept falling off mid-transformation, and there are cases of other issues with Wheeljack being reported online. One of his waist joints has been shown to give up the ghost, while another had his windshield/chest snap off without warning. The arm is a simple fix, as it is a pressure joint, but others might not be so lucky.

Wheeljack is light on accessories this time around, coming with a pistol that is also his shoulder-mounted cannon. He is, of course, standard for the War for Cybertron trilogy, loaded with 5mm ports for equipment to be added on, as well as effect pegs for blast effects to be mounted.

Earthrise’s Wheeljack is a great little figure, but quality control is problematic. If you don’t mind taking the risk, it’s a great little figure. And hey, you probably won’t have any issues at all.

Grade: B+