With the precision of a fine jeweler, Hook performs his job with skill unequalled among the Transformers, whether reconnecting a damaged microchip or setting a two ton girder into place. He's a snobbish, supercilious, unpopular perfectionist who is able to lift 20 tons. As shoulders and head module, combines with fellow Constructicons to form giant robot "Devastator".
First/Last Comic Appearance (US) - Issue 10, November 1985 / Issue 41, June 1988
First/Last Comic Appearance (UK) - Issue 61, May 17th 1986 / Issue 279, July 21st 1990
First/Last Cartoon Appearance - Episode 16 (Season 1 #16), December 15th 1984 / Episode 96 (Season 4 #1), November 9th 1987
First Toy Appearance - 1985
Figure Details
AKA 'Mobile Crane'
Manufacturer - Maketoys
Toyline - Type 61
Additions/Mods:
- Added a Decepticon symbol to the chest
- Added a Decepticon symbol to the cabin
Review
Hook is a lean, mean, green machine. As well as being
Grapple's bete noir, he transforms into the crane which allows the
Constructicons to build their dastardly weapons of mass-destruction. He also fills the important role of being
Devastator's upper torso.
Maketoys made the brave decision to incorporate the head into the robot itself instead of an additional part, so have they managed to hide the massive noggin when in robot and vehicle mode?
Appearance (Robot Mode) 7/10
This figure somehow manages to look decent despite having a head which I would charitably call 'derpy'. Hook's head also sits on a narrow balljoint, which only exacerbates the narrow jaw. Conversely, the rest of the figure is solid and well-proportioned. The crane arm can be detached altogether, or attached to the back on a small clip. This is the configuration I prefer as it gives the figure a more interesting and asymmetrical appearance. I think the crane can also be wielded as a club, but I haven't really investigated that. The combiner head plainly makes up the right foot of the robot, but it is disguised somewhat by a strip of green which works surprisingly well. The paint apps are all excellent as is standard with this Maketoys set.
Appearance (Alternate Mode) 8/10
The crane truck is very decent to look at. If it wasn't for the combiner head kibble idly sitting next to the cabin I would score this higher than I have. On a more positive note, there is a fair amount of articulation on the crane. The entire crane arm can rotate, and can be pitched up and down. It is also telescopic, and the hook is on a pivot as well. There is definitely a lot more play value (not that you play with these toys, right?) with this alt mode than the others. Unfortunately, using the crane arm only highlights the head kibble, which is significantly better hidden when the crane arm is down. Shame! There are lots of solid paint apps on this alt mode, and all are understated and very high quality.
Transformation 7/10
Hook's transformation is one of the simpler Maketoys offerings, in fact it looks like it comes right out of the Hasbro playbook. The lower legs fold out from the upper legs. The forearms unfold from the upper arms, and then the arms as a whole splay out and rotate 180 degrees to form the robot. And that is pretty much it. The simplicity is actually somewhat welcome after some of the trickier Constructicons. The crane can be easily removed which helps when transforming this figure, and can be stowed in a variety of ways in robot mode.
Poseability 6/10
I am going to judge this figure based on how poseable the other Maketoys Constructicons are and to that end this doesn't score very well. I'll start by stating what articulation this figure does have, but will point out what is lacking in each case. The head is ball-jointed (no complaints there) The waist however has no articulation whatsoever! The shoulders are ball-jointed. There is thigh swivel but no bicep swivel! The elbow joints are double-jointed, and the knees are jointed too. But the joints are too low! There is zero articulation in the wrist and there are no feet to speak of at all, apart from a huge toe which is actually a head(!). All this limits what Hook can actualy do. I think that some of these issues are more excusable (the waist is on a hinge, necessary for the combiner mode, and the bicep has to accomodate 2 wheels per side) but
surely wrist articulation could have been included, especially when bicep swivel is already missing.
Quality 7/10
Great materials have been used to cast this mould and the quality is of a very high standard. I do have 2 concerns abou this figure though and they both concern the heads. The smaller head has a pretty small balljoint and looks kind of vulnerable. The combiner head is on a sliding rod, so it can be centralised to make Devastator. I really don't like messing with this piece as it also looks a bit flimsy.
Overall - 35/50
This figure flatters to deceive in robot mode as it looks great, but ultimately has limited poseability. Conversely, the alt mode looks quite dodgy from some angles but actually has more interactivity than the other vehicles can offer, courtesy of the crane arm, which has been well-designed and thought out. I'm not hugely impressed with this figure, but y'know Devastator needs his head and shoulders, right? If you like the others and you like Devastator, you will just need to suck it up and get this figure, which is still OK.
