Transformers Toys Generations War for Cybertron: Earthrise Leader WFC-E23 Doubledealer Triple Changer Action Figure - Kids Ages 8 and Up, 7-inch

With his original toy produced in the latter days of the period now known as Generation 1, Doubledealer never featured very heavily in the comics and cartoons of the eighties which were then coming to an end. This is a shame as, with his mercenary gimmick, he was definitely a contender for the most interesting of the later characters.Across his modes the Earthrise version of the figure is quite similar in appearance to the original, albeit much bulkier and more formidable looking.The robot mode is impressive. Kitted out with his arsenal of weaponry, he is a physically imposing figure that stands larger than most of the other figures in the ‘War for Cybertron’ toyline, even others of the same class. It is this mode that is the best of the three (or supposedly four) that he possesses. However, he hasn’t, perhaps, quite got the articulation of some of the other figures in the line.Like the original G1 toy, his ‘falcon’ form is a bit more giant, mutant, cyborg chicken than ‘falcon’ and it would take some considerable imagination to envision him taking to the air on those wings. The Earthrise figure has his ‘missile’ mounted upon his back which is a considerable improvement over it being attached to his underside between his legs. Despite looking badly weighted he appears in this mode he is surprisingly able to stand quite well on the spindly legs.The armoured vehicle mode has a more detailed and impressive look than the original. However, there is quite a bad design flaw in that when the falcon wings are folded on the underside of the vehicle, they hang lower than the ground clearance of the wheels. As such he cannot be pushed along as you would expect.The so-called ‘fourth’ form he can take really isn’t much different to the vehicle mode. It just involves folding out a little stand at the back and angling the missile upwards. This does, however, allow for Doubledealer to connect to other figures in the Earthrise range through his ramp.A major downside of this figure is that the transformation process isn’t at all enjoyable (which to me is an essential of the best Transformer toys). It is very difficult and fiddly. This is especially bad in the knee joints that are forced in a very uncomfortable way into a different position for each mode. I imagine that they wouldn’t stand up to much and are not suitable for younger users. Numerous other elements, such as the wings, are also quite fragile.Doubledealer comes with several accessories. The large missile divides into a shoulder mounted weapon as well as his massive blaster rifle. He also comes with a small gun and some odd square thing (some type of beacon or receiver maybe?).The original was also a Powermaster that actually possessed two binary bonded ‘engines’. These have been replaced in the Earthrise line by a similar set up to Soundwave and Soundblaster. Skar and Knok (available separately as part of the Soundwave Spy Patrol Third Unit pack) now transform into cassettes which can be stored in Doubledealer’s chest unit. All the Siege and Earthrise versions of the cassettes are interchangeable with Soundwave or Soundblaster. As a concession to the old Powermaster setup there is a small engine beneath the chest unit that is removable.Like his predecessor Earthrise Doubledealer, despite his allegiances, comes in Decepticon orientated packaging. However, a nice touch is that in robot form he has shoulder panels that can be altered to possess either Decepticon or Autobot insignias.

Amazing robot, worth the money, a must for every TF fan