Hook (G1)/toys
From Transformers Wiki
- Main
- Toys & Merchandise
Hook is the Decepticon crane.
Contents |
Toys
The Transformers
- Hasbro Team ID number: 4
- Takara ID number: 33
- Accessories: "Laser pistol", Devastator head, Devastator head laser
- Known designers: Kōjin Ōno (TakaraTomy)
- Released in the second year of Hasbro's The Transformers toyline (first year in European markets), Hook is a redeco of the Takara Pre-Transformers Diaclone "Construction Vehicle Robot No. 3 Truck Crane", transforming into a bright green Nissan Diesel Unic K-160B truck crane. He also has an "Attack Crane" mode, formed by attaching Devastator's head and head-gun behind the vehicle mode cab. And of course, he can combine with his fellow Constructicons to form Devastator, functioning as the upper torso.
- During his transformation into robot mode, it is required to pull his legs outwards mid-swing in order to allow proper clearance for the plastic tab that secures his shins. Many were unaware of this tab's purpose and ended up snapping it off when trying to unfold the legs.
- On the European continent, Hook was initially released individually alongside the other Constructicons by Hasbro's subsidiary Milton Bradley (MB) in 1985.[1][2] In 1986, Hook and the other Constructicons were re-released in Europe, albeit this time in "Hasbro"-branded packaging (but manufactured by Joustra). The main difference with all other releases thus far was that the Constructicons' main color was now yellow instead of green.[3][4][5] These are not to be confused with the later, non-combining yellow European Constructicons, nor with the yellow Generation 2 Constructicons (see below for both).
- For the GiG Italian release of Transformers, "Rostro" and the other "Escavators" were sold in boxes very similar to the Takara packaging instead of on Hasbro-style cards. The boxes even sported the Takara ID numbers from "31" to "36", and omitted the "Hasbro" logo on the packaging in favor of a "Takara" logo.
| The Transformers combiner team mold: Constructicons | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Devastator
GS = Gift set release
In = Individually released Scrapper (leader)
Bonecrusher
Hook
Long Haul
Mixmaster
Scavenger
| ||
- Devastator (Giftset, 1985)
- Takara ID number: 37
- Accessories: "Laser pistol", Devastator head, Devastator head laser
- Hook was also available as part of the Devastator gift set that was available in several markets, including the United States and Japan. All of the toys in this set are identical to their individual releases.
- Hook is packaged facing the opposite direction from all five of the other Constructicons, presumably to feature his forward and rear cab detail, rather than the empty space under the crane arm. This arrangement extends to all giftsets using these molds, even the Japanese releases which feature a different package layout.
- Rumors are that an MB-branded Devastator giftset was also released in continental Europe, but thus far no packaged sample has surfaced.[2]
- Constructicons (Constructicon, 1992)
- Accessories: "Laser pistol"
- Another yellow European exclusive version of Hook was released very late in the original toyline, in colors very similar to the previous yellow European release, although the extractable part of the crane arm was now cast in gray instead of yellow plastic. This version, just like the other Constructicons in this set, came with no Devastator parts. Hook's metal post which Bonecrusher connects to in Devastator mode was also omitted -- but there were no changes to the mould itself, so a connector salvaged from a normal Hook could replace it.
- This toy was also not officially named, as he came on a standardized card also used by the other five Constructicons.
Generation 2
- Hook (Constructicon, 1992)
- Team ID number: 4
- Accessories: "Laser pistol", large "laser", Devastator head
- Part of the very first assortment of Generation 2 product released just in time for the 1992 holiday season, all six Constructicons were redecoed, once again in primarily yellow and purple. However, these releases have some notable differences from the prior European-market yellow versions, the most blatantly obvious being the addition of a Generation 2-style Decepticon logo and "DECEPTICON" tampograph on each (in this case, on Hook's right boot). The purple plastic is also brighter in tone, and there are no gray-plastic parts. Most importantly, their ability to combine into Devastator has been restored, the swing-out square peg to attach Bonecrusher back in place along with the add-on Devastator pieces.
- A later and seemingly less common run in 1993 changed the yellow plastics to rich orange. It was long rumored that this release was a KB Toys exclusive, but that has since been debunked; KB just ended up with the lion's share of what was a simple late-run running change to the normal retail release.
| The Transformers combiner team mold: Constructicons | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Devastator
GS = Gift set release
In = Individually released Scrapper (leader)
Bonecrusher
Hook
Long Haul
Mixmaster
Scavenger
| ||
Encore
- Devastor (2011)
- ID number: 20
- Accessories: Laser pistol, Devastator head, Devastator head laser
- Hook was reissued in a gift set with his Constructicon teammates as part of TakaraTomy's Encore line. Apparently cast from a newly created mold, given the presence of a Tomy copyright stamp rather than the original Hasbro/Takara one, Hook sports a few minor differences from the original figure, including a softer face, a longer, rounder peg on his shoulder, a reversed crane hook that now points inwards, and an additional tab to lock him together more firmly while forming Devastator.
| The Transformers combiner team mold: Constructicons | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Devastator
GS = Gift set release
In = Individually released Scrapper (leader)
Bonecrusher
Hook
Long Haul
Mixmaster
Scavenger
| ||
- Devastor (Anime Color Ver.) (2013)
- ID number: 20A
- Accessories: Laser pistol, Devastator head, Devastator head laser
- Hook was again reissued in a giftset in 2013 as part of TakaraTomy's Encore line, this time in a more 'anime accurate' color scheme. In addition to the mold changes of the 2011 version, Hook is also a slightly different color and features more cartoon-accurate paint applications on his face. Notably, Devastator's head is a new mold, which more closely resembles his head as it appears in the cartoon.
Kre-O
- Decepticon Hook (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2012)
- Collection: 1
- Bag number: *****48
- Accessories: Logo brick, small pistol
- Known designers: Ed Masiello (Hasbro)
- Part of the first normal wave of Micro-Changer Kreons, Hook is a blindpacked-bagged mini-figure, though a stamped ID number can be found on the back of the bag, top-right corner. He comes with extra parts so he can be rebuilt into a crane, or as near as you can get with a Kreon. He features a brand-new "blockhead" piece that resembles a flatnosed truck grill and windshield on top.
- Constructicon Hook (Kreon Micro-Changer, 2016)
- Collection: 1
- Accessories: Logo plate, small pistol
- Re-released in 2016 through Dollar General (then later other outlets), this version of Hook is significantly different from the original. He uses the extensively retooled 2015-style Kreon body, his existing tampographs are more complex, plus he has new leg tampos. His "hook" piece is a similar but entirely different piece from the original, plus the 1x1 top-clip piece is slightly different. He also has a new 3x4 "KRE-O" logo stand-plate rather than the old 2x4 brick.
- The 2015-style re-releases lack any individual ID numbers on the bags, so you're forced to buy blind or feel for parts through the bag.
Combiner Wars
- Devastator (gift set, 2015)
- Known designers: John Warden (Hasbro), Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy), Mark Maher (deco artist)
- Combiner Wars Constructicon Hook is a Voyager-sized figure that transforms from crane to robot and also forms Titan Class Devastator's upper body. The combiner head is also integrated to Hook rather than being a separate piece like the original toy. He's packaged with the other Constructicons in a massive box. Unfortunately, Hook's crane arm does not extend.
- As a part of a promotion in Hasbro's Asian markets, a free sticker sheet for the Constructicons was given out when purchasing the set. As such, Hook was given Generation 1 toy-esque stickers for the owner to apply if they wanted.
- Devastator (gift set, 2015)
- A redeco of the above Hook figure also available as part of a gift set, featuring extensive paint operations and vacuum metallized purple parts. The packaging of this set is designed to evoke both Bonecrusher's shovel and Devastator's head, and its interior is designed to resemble the title image of Devastator on his wiki page.
- In the U.S., this set (also referred to as "Devastator Special Edition" in a Hasbro press release) was exclusive to the Hasbro Toy Shop website and the Hasbro Toy Shop booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2015. In Asia, it was also available at Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong 2015 and subsequently stocked by Toys"R"Us Hong Kong. Later, it was also available at The Falcon's Hangar booth at Singapore Toy, Game & Comic Convention 2015.
Unite Warriors
- Devastor (giftset, December 12, 2015)
- ID number: UW-04
- English name: Devastator
- Accessories: Missile launchers/hands, two-piece gun, chest plate/gun, 2 swords, 6 rifles
- Known designers: Hisashi Yuki (TakaraTomy)
- Takara's "Gren", included in the Unite Warriors Devastor set, has some deco changes to better match the Generation 1 cartoon. He now includes his original handgun. In addition, his elbow joints were retooled, adding an extra hinge on the inside of his arm to give the bend a more natural look. The original joints were kept as well, as they are required for Hook to form Devastator's chest. This change was also made to Mixmaster.
Vintage G1
- Devastator (Walmart exclusive reissue, 2018)
- Team ID number: 4
- Accessories: Robot head, head laser, 2 forearms/launchers, 2 fists, 2 drills, "super wing" chest plate, "missile mount" hip connector, "wing" pelvis armor, "magna laser"/"solar energy rifle", individual robot guns, Mixmaster's 2 missiles
- The original Devastator toy was once again available, this time in the Walmart exclusive Vintage G1 series. All of the toys inside were cast in a slightly yellower shade of bright green than prior releases, and were given a new style of rubsign used on all of the Vintage G1 toys; the insignia only turns red rather than the mood-ring multicolor of older rubsigns, plus the silver border is mirror-level reflective.
- Each individual toy in the set has a number of smaller differences from previous versions as well. In Hook's case, his waist is now secured with a metal pin rather than screws, and the crane arms' sculpted circular details are shallower than on his original and Encore releases.
- His robot mode stock photo is mistransformed: His legs are not folded out properly.
| The Transformers combiner team mold: Constructicons | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Devastator
GS = Gift set release
In = Individually released Scrapper (leader)
Bonecrusher
Hook
Long Haul
Mixmaster
Scavenger
| ||
Studio Series
- Movie: The Transformers: The Movie
- Hasbro ID number: 86-??
- TakaraTomy ID number: SS-??
- Known designers: Evan Brooks (Hasbro), Shogo Hasui (TakaraTomy)[6]
- Announced to much aplomb at San-Diego Comic-Con 2024, Hook is slated for a two-packed release in the The Transformers: The Movie themed arm of the screen accuracy focused Studio Series toyline throughout 2025. Though individually advertised as a Voyager class figure, Hook is sold together with Long Haul at a Commander price point. He will naturally form the upper torso of Studio Series 86 Devastator.
Merchandise
Decoy
- Destron Hero Collection 22 (Decoy multi-pack, 1985)
- In Japan, a purple rubber mini-figure of Hook was available in part of a massive multi-pack of similar mini-figurines. The number etched into his back is the sum total of his Tech Spec ratings, as these figurines were used as game pieces for a variety of Transformers board games in which this number had some meaning to how the game was played or something.
- Hook (Decoy, 1987)
- Decoy number: 42
- The Hasbro Decoy release of the Hook game piece is almost identical to the Japanese version, except the number on his back is a simple "checklist" number. Like all Decepticon Decoys, he was a randomly-chosen pack-in available with the carded Throttlebots, Combaticons, Stunticons, and Terrorcons. Early Throttlebots were packaged with red Decepticon decoys: these are much rarer than the purple ones.
Transformers Trading Card Game
- Hook, Surgical Engineer (2019)
- Wave 2A: Devastator Deck
- Rarity: RT
- Card Number: T02/T06
- Stars: 5
- Hook, Surgical Engineer was released as part of the Transformers Trading Card Game Devastator Deck box set, which includes character cards for all six Constructicons, a ready-to-play battle deck, and a unique Tower card. Like the other members of combiner teams released as part of the Trading Card Game's Wave 2: Rise of the Combiners, as well as the other Constructicons included with the Devastator Deck, Hook, Surgical Engineer is a folding card, with the Bot and Alt modes being depicted when the card is folded in half, and a holofoil portion of the the combined mode depicted when unfolded. The reverse of Hook, Surgical Engineer depicts the upper left portion of Devastator.
- The artwork for Bot and Alt Mode is reused from the Transformers Legends mobile game.
- Hook, Surgical Engineer can be used to form Devastator, Towering Warrior with the use of the Action card Constructicon Enigma while he and the other Devastator Deck Constructicons are in Bot mode on the battlefield or KO area.
Blokees
- Hook (2024)
- Series: Galaxy Version 04 - Fractured Space-Time
References
- ↑ "Milton Bradley and the red TF Tracks" at TF-1.com.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "MB Transformers Collection" at 20th Century Toy Collector.
- ↑ "French Connection" at the TF Source blog.
- ↑ "Europe's Strangest Attractions" at the TF Scource blog.
- ↑ "French TFs: G1 Yellow Constructicons" at Fred's Workshop.
- ↑ The Hasbro Transformers Panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 with Mario Carreiro, John Warden, Evan Brooks and Nate Purswell, recorded at the "Memo's Collection" YouTube channel.
