@robfromzonebase Wrecker Hook [Transformers Robot Masters] #zonebase #transformers #robotmasters #wreckerhook #decepticons ♬ Trick Or treat - Nekromantix
I've mentioned Transformers RobotMasters on more than one occasion here. It was a line Takara put out in the mid-2000s that featured a mixture of older and newer molds as Transformers characters from multiple timelines, with both new and old characters gathered together to battle.
The line was announced shortly before OTFCC 2004, and several dealers had the first wave in stock. I was quite enamored with it myself, and the bulk of my convention buying was that first wave, aside from only getting the DVD version of Convoy over the standard release.
Over its time, I managed to get the bulk of the line, and RobotMasters is still one of the higher points in Transformers for me.
One of the returning characters in the line is Wrecker Hook, who we in the States know as Tow-Line.
Instead of the good-natured Autobot we're all used to, Wrecker Hook has lost his memory and is now sided with the Decepticons!
During this time, he actually becomes a better mechanic and finds friendship with Decepticon Wingstun.
Aside from the allegiance change, the biggest change is his deco. Instead of the bright green tow truck last seen in Transformers Car Robots/Robots in Disguise, Wrecker Hook now sports a completely badass black and red color scheme decked out in rockabilly flames!
In addition to his trademark "Aiming Shot," which is formed from his truck mode's grill, he also has the "Boost Hammer" weapon, which is a translucent green morning star type melee weapon.
Several RobotMasters weapons would come with additional weapons like this that could be combined together to form new weapons, similar to the ones in Transformers SuperLink/Energon, which was being released at the time.
All things considered, Wrecker Hook went through a lot of positive changes after joining the Decepticons.
I'm not sure how he went back to the Autobots, but he's his old self again in the Legends World manga.
Wrecker Hook uses the same toy mold as Wrecker Hook/Tow-Line did before in Car Robots/Robots in Disguise. Itself is a reuse of the mold used for Hoist and Hubcap in Transformers Machine Wars.
The mold was originally developed for Transformers Generation 2 and went unused until Machine Wars.
Originally sold as a Basic Class, a size class that sadly no longer exists, it's a smaller toy that features a pleasant amount of articulation for the time and auto-transforms.
By moving the tow truck's hook, Wrecker Hook's body will fold into itself as his chest moves out to form the truck cab. Make sure his arms and legs go into place properly, and then snap the hook into its spot to lock him in place.
The rifle folds up into the front of the truck and forms the grill, while you can either sit the Boost Hammer to the side or plug it into his fist in the bed area.
The flame deco really pops more in truck mode than you'd think, leading to an old nickname I gave it back in the day:
"Satan's Tow Truck."
Compared to today's toys, he probably seems pretty simplistic. Maybe comparable to a Cyber Changer from Transformers Cyberworld, if a bit bigger and with nicer paint.
But to be honest, I can't say a single bad thing about him.
I love this toy.
He looks amazing, and I find him endlessly fun.
RobotMasters was a particularly great Transformers line that had fun new toy molds and managed to make great older ones even better.
How can you not love that?