Hoist (Transformers)

Hoist is the name of two fictional characters in the Transformers universes.

Transformers: Generation 1

Transformers character
name =Hoist


caption =Hoist box art
affiliation =Autobot
subgroup =Autobot Cars
function =Maintenance
partner =
motto ="You have to be rolling before you can be fighting."
alternatemodes =Toyota Hilux Tow Truck
series ='
"Machine Wars"
'
engvoice =Michael Chain
japanvoice =Koki KataokaIn the original Transformers toy line, Hoist (Treuil in French Canada, Buffalo in Italy) is an Autobot who functions as a repairman for the team, keeping them to a tight maintenance schedule. Hoist is confident and sometimes rash, brave, tough and loyal. He transforms into a green tow truck. The toy of Hoist was released in 1985 and was a remold of Trailbreaker; it included a head sensor module that could analyze different density properties, and various arm attachments: 2 missiles, two welding pieces, and an extra fist.

Animated series

Hoist first appeared in episode #28, "The Master Builders". He teamed up with his friend Grapple to design a solar tower that would provide unlimited energy. However, he was denied by Optimus Prime in case the Decepticons got their hands on it. Grapple and Hoist were then approached by a surprising source — the Constructicons. They told the two Autobots they wanted to leave the Decepticons and were willing to help Grapple and Hoist build their tower to prove it. Grapple and Hoist accepted and the tower was built — just as Megatron arrived and took them prisoner. The Autobots arrived and eventually rescued the two. Prime put them to work clearing up the mess in punishment for their mistake.

In the episode "A Decepticon Raider in King Arthur's Court," Warpath, Hoist and Spike were battling Starscream, Ramjet, Rumble and Ravage in England. Low on power, the Autobots and Decepticons discovered a magical stone formation called the Dragon Mound and were transported back to the year 543. Although Starscream attempted to take over a castle and build a new empire with himself as lord, the help of local knights and a wizard refueled the Autobots and they in turn who defeated the Decepticons. After defeating a dragon who nested in the Dragon Mound, the Autobots and Decepticons and returned to their own time where they rejoined the fight in modern day England.

The spotlight was shone on Hoist again in the later Season 2 episode "Hoist Goes Hollywood", where he and several other Autobots, including Tracks, Warpath, Powerglide and Sunstreaker, were recruited to star in a Hollywood movie called "Attack of the Alien Robots". They would end up saving the film from the Decepticons — although the film's makers cannily used the footage of the battle in the movie itself.

Hoist last appeared in episode #64, "Masquerade". He did not appear in "", season 3, or any of the Japanese exclusive Transformers seasons that followed.

Marvel Comics

Unlike his sudden appearance in the television series, Hoist was given an origin in the Marvel Comics series. Four million years ago, Hoist was one of five Autobots who agreed to have their sparks transferred to crystal storage in case the Autobots needed extra troops during the mission of clearing a path for Cybertron through an asteroid belt. In 1986, the Autobots were suffering heavy casualties and the five Autobots were activated in "Rock and Roll Out" (U.S. #14). Skids and the others (except Grapple) were shown around Earth by Bumblebee, where Skids encountered music for the first time and proved unable to interact easily with humans. Despite orders not to engage with the enemy, they went on to battle Decepticons at a concert. Hoist continued to appear after this, although in a reduced capacity.

Hoist was among Grimlock's crew of Autobots that eventually left the Earth when the Ark was repaired. He was present at the proposed execution of a group of human children by Grimlock, which was really just a ploy to flush out Blaster (whom Grimlock had deemed a traitor) out of hiding. Hoist is assumed to have died at the hands of the Underbase-powered Starscream like many Autobots in issue #50.

Dreamwave Productions

Hoist was not among the Autobots on board the Ark in this series, but stayed on Cybertron until the return of Optimus Prime and his crew, who lead the overthrow of Shockwave. Hoist later oversaw the repair of Optimus Prime after the damage done to him by Shockwave ("Transformers: Generation 1" vol. III #2). He was also among the Autobots brought beck to Earth under the command of Prowl who started construction of Autobot City in Alaska.

Toys

*Generation 1 Hoist (1985):A remold of Trailbreaker.

*"Machine Wars" Hoist:Hoist appeared in this series as a black pick-up truck; a recolor of "Machine Wars" Hubcap. His motto is "Proper Maintenance prevents poor performance.":Machines Wars Hoist was later repainted into "" Tow-Line and "Robot Masters" Wrecker Hook.

*Transformers: Universe Hoist:A Spy Changer, seemingly a reincarnation of the Generation 1 Hoist was released in the "" toy line. He was a redeco of "Robots In Disguise" Spy Changer X-Brawn. He was one of several homages to Generation 1 released as Spy Changers. Two packaging versions of this toy existed — a Kaybee version which did not attribute the toy to "Universe" and was packaged in vehicle form, and a version for discount stores which did and was packaged in robot mode. :His function and motto were the same as his G1 version.

Transformers: Armada

Transformers character
name =Hoist
japanname =Grap Super Mode


caption =
affiliation =Autobot
subgroup =
function =
partner =Refute
motto =
alternatemodes =Backhoe
series =""
engvoice =Dale Wilson
japanvoice =In ', Hoist"' (Grap Super Mode in Japan) is the new name adopted by Smokescreen after he was rebuilt following severe damage at the hands of Megatron and the Requiem Blaster. He transforms into a white backhoe, and is partnered with the Mini-Con Refute. Hoist, like Smokscreen before him, is voiced by Dale Wilson.

Animated series

After nearly being killed by Megatron's requiem blaster, Smokescreen was rebuilt by Red Alert as Hoist. Hoist went on to have many further battles against the Decepticons, and survived the battles against Unicron.

Dreamwave Productions

"Armada" Hoist continued to appear among the Autobots in the "" comic series by Dreamwave. His back story was never fully explained, but he mentioned he had died at one point, indicating that as in the animated continuity, he was Smokescreen in a new body.

Toys

The mold used for "Armada" Hoist was repainted and remolded into a Decepticon for the character of "Universe" Ransack. The mold first used for Armada Hoist was remolded again into "" Longrack, a homage to "Beast Wars Neo" Longrack.

Transformers: The Game

PSP Version

Hoist is a playable character in the PSP Version.

Transformers: Autobots

A vehicle that goes by the name Maintenance is a homage to Hoist.

References