Hightower (Transformers)

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Hightower is the name of four fictional characters from the Transformers series. The first Hightower is a heroic Autobot who turns into a crand and was introduced in 2000 as one of the cast of Transformers: Robots in Disguise.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise

Transformers character
Hightower-ridtoy.jpg
Robots in Disguise Hightower toy
Name Hightower
Autobot
Japanese name Build Cyclone
Series Transformers: Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Universe
English voice actor Joe Ochman
Japanese voice actor Masami Iwasaki
First appearance Transformers: Robots in Disguise episode #11, "Build Protocol"
Information
Alternate modes Construction Crane
Function Autobot Crane
Gender Male
Motto "Stay alert; danger is everywhere."
Partner Grimlock, Heavy Load, Long Haul & Wedge
Rank 7
Sub-group Build Team, Deluxe Vehicles

Hightower is the name of a member of the Build Team and transforms into a crane. He is able to combine with his team and become either leg or the arms to the giant robot Landfill. His Japanese equivalent in Car Robots is called Build Cyclone. [1]

In addition to their use of elemental-based attacks, each "adult" member of the Build Team provides a specific style of attack which each member bring to his specific version (based on who becomes the arms) of Landfill. Hightower/Build Cyclone's strength is powerful offensive attacks. Heavy Load/Build Typhoon brings martial arts and strong defenses, while Grimlock/Build Hurricane provides an even mix of offense and defense.

Fictional biography

Hightower is an excellent marksmen, storming into battle with a cannon in one fist and a magnum in the other. He likes to make things hot for Megatron with fire weapons and flame throwers. He is very alert to dangerous situations and often guards the Construction Team leader, as well as providing the solid support and advice of a seasoned warrior.

Animated series

Hightower first appeared in episode #11 "Build Protocol" and last appeared in episode #49 "The Grand Final Battle Part 3."

3H Enterprises

Robots in Disguise Hightower (in Wal-Mart yellow repaint colors) appeared in the 2004 BotCon voice actor play.

Play Synopsis: Rhinox has built a device to deflect Unicron's attempts to pull victims from other dimensions with his tractor beam. The Autobots deflect two attempts and the victims end up on a frozen planetoid instead of with Unicron. Maximals Rattrap and Silverbolt and the Predacon Waspinator are sent to help the victims, but Reptilion, Sunstorm, Ruination and Universe Perceptor are sent to get them for Unicron. As a side effect of the device Rhinox built, a vortex opens which sucks in an Autobot shuttle from the past piloted by Bumblebee, Tracks and Cosmos. Thrust attacks the Maximal ship, but they are saved by being transported to the Autobot shuttle. The Autobots and Maximals then go to the planet where they save the victims from the Decepticons. On the planet are two groups of Autobots. One is from the Robots in Disguise story, with Landfill (Walmart recolor), Universe Side Burn and Universe Prowl. The other is from another parallel world with Spy Changer Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, Prowl and Ironhide. They all fight off the Decepticons. The Autobot shuttle is sent back to its own time.

Fun Publications

According to "Ask Vector Prime", at least one version of Hightower later suffered an unfortunate fate: being reformatted alongside his fellow Build Team members into the Constructicons and their combined form of Devastator. Hightower was the only member of the group whose Decepticon counterpart retained his American name, though in the fiction he was previously known by his Japanese name of Build Cyclone. He was a fairly egotistical being who loathed his teammates, feeling that they were inferior to him. [2]

Toys

  • Car Robots Build Cyclone (2000)
Hightower's first toy is actually Japan's Build Cyclone, part of its Transformers: Car Robots line in 2000.
  • Robots in Disguise Hightower (2001)
When Hightower was released in 2001, mold and paint colors were slightly altered from Build Cyclone. The most noticeable differences are the lack of metallic elements used on the Build Team's American bodies, and the tampographing of Autobot insignias on each Build Team member.[3]
  • Robots in Disguise Hightower (2003)
Hightower was later recolored in yellow by Hasbro in 2003 for an Wal*Mart store exclusive and was packaged with his team. Although packages as part of Robots in Disguise many fans consider it to be an unofficial part of the "Transformers: Universe" toyline by being released during the Universe time period. It is the last released toy of the RiD series before it was changed to Universe. This version of the Build Team appeared in the Transformers: Universe storyline presented at the BotCon 2005 voice actor play.
  • Universe Deluxe Hightower and Long Haul (2006)
Hightower was sold exclusively in Target stores with Long Haul at the Ultra price range.
Hightower returned in green and purple color scheme and is able to become either a leg or the arms of Devastator.[4]


Transformers: Universe Micromaster

Transformers character
Name Hightower
Autobot/Decepticon
Japanese name Iron Lift
Series Transformers: Generation 1
Transformers: Universe
Information
Alternate modes Construction Crane
Sub-group Constructicons, Micromaster

Two different Decepticon toys with the name Hightower were released in the Universe toyline and both lacked official tech specs and storylines - it is not known if either are the original character. In both cases Hightower was used in place of the Generation 1 name Hook due to trademark restrictions.

The name Hightower was used as a replacement for Hook when the Constructicons reappeared as Micromasters; the name Hook not being able to be used. Hightower was once again a crane repainted the typical green and purple color scheme from a Japanese only toy named Iron Lift, originally released in 1992. He is able to become the left arm to the team's combined robot form - Devastator. Many fans just refer to the toy as Hook, preferring the original 1985 character more.

Toys

  • Generation 1 Iron Lift (1992)
Packaged together with the other Sixbuilder members. [5]
  • Generation 1 Iron Lift redeco (Autobot) (2003)
A redeco of the original mold. [6]
  • Generation 1 Iron Lift redeco (Decepticon) (2003)
A redeco of Iron Lift in green as a Decepticon. [7]
  • Universe Micromaster Hightower (2004)
Now redecoed as a homage to Generaton 1 Hook. [8]


Transformers: Classic

Transformers character
Hightower-classictoy.jpg
Classic Hightower toy
Name Hightower
Decepticon
Series Transformers: Classic
Information
Alternate modes Crane
Partner Bonecrusher, Long Haul, Scavenger and Scrapper
Sub-group Constructions, Scouts

Once again, Hightower is part of the Constructicon team and is still able to become a limb to their combined form - the giant robot Devastator. Hightower is described to be a chemistry lab on wheels whose passion for poisons and explosives is surpassed only by the dislike of his teammates and that when in his combined form, he competes with the others for full control of the massive body; limiting their effectiveness.

Fun Publications

According to officials at the Transformers Collectors Club site Hightower is neither Hook nor Mixmaster, but a new Constructicon.

In the Transformers: Timelines story "Games of Deception" by Fun Publications Hightower appears among Megatrons troops.

Toys

  • Classic Scout Hightower (2007)
He is now recolored from the Transformers: Energon basic-sized crane toys Wideload and Duststorm; retaining their claw weapon which can be used in either mode and energon star. Hightower's twin in the Classics Constructicon team is Long Haul. Whereas Long Haul is in the classic Constructicon color scheme, Hightower has a black and purple color scheme. A Walmart store exclusive.

Gallery


Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers character
Name Hightower
Decepticon
Series Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Information
Alternate modes Kobelco CK2500 Crawler Crane
Partner Long Haul, Mixmaster, Overload, Rampage, Scavenger & Scrapper
Sub-group Constructicons, Micro Vehicles

The Constructicons appear in the Transformers sequel, along with their combined form, Devastator. Hightower is one of the different models. He forms the left arm of Devastator and transforms into a Kobelco CK2500 Truss Crane [9], similar to that of the Generation 1 Constructicon Hook.[10]

He reaches 50 feet tall as a crane. [11]

Films

Hightower is a yellow truss crane that forms the left arm of Devastator. He is assumingly destroyed when Devastator is hit by an experimental rail gun.

Toys

  • Revenge of the Fallen Legends Hightower (2009)
A new mold. Can form robot or vehicle modes or combine into Devastator. [12]
This toy was initially sold individually in Japan, then as part of a 7 pack of Constructicons in the U.S.
  • Revenge of the Fallen Combiner Hightower (2009)
A truss crane bundled with the other Constructicons. Can combine with other toys to form Devastator, but has no individual robot mode. [13]
  • Revenge of the Fallen Burger King Construction' Devastator (2009)
Hightower is one of the Constructicons that form Devastator.

References

External links