Tow-Line (Energon)

This article is about the Energon Autobot. For the Robots in Disguise Autobot, see Tow-Line (RID).

Tow-Line is an Autobot from the Unicron Trilogy continuity family.

Because you're mine, I walk tow the line.

Tow-Line isn't the strongest Autobot, but what he lacks in muscle he makes up in cleverness. He can out-think and generally out-last most opponents, preferring to use his brains to prevent conflicts, skills that have made him one of Optimus Prime's most trusted team members.

Fiction

Energon comic

When the Terrorcon invasion struck Earth, Tow-Line stepped up to help defend the planet. He joined Jetfire in Los Angeles, California, fighting against a horde of Insecticon drones. Multiplicity, Pt. 2 Tow-Line was seen driving around the burning city as Rad White and Alexis tried to get to safety. Multiplicity, Pt. 3 The team soon began to run out of juice in the battle against the overwhelming numbers of Terrorcons, but thankfully Rad returned with the E.V.A. and charged them up with energon gas. With some unexpected help from Galvatron, Tow-Line and the others then drove the Insecticons away. Multiplicity, Pt. 4

Energon pack-in comic

When the Decepticons Sharkticon and Slugslinger infiltrated an Autobot energon refinery plant, Tow-Line was waiting for them, along with his compatriots Bulkhead and the mighty Omega Supreme! Together, they halted the Decepticons' nefarious ploy, Tow-Line contributing to the counter-assault by blasting Slugslinger's wing. Energon Volume 3

Force of Habit

After the evacuation of Cybertron due to the Unicron Singularity, Tow-Line served as a crew member on the Iron Hope. He installed transwarp jump coordinates on the computers of the six scout ships searching for the lost Autobot colonies. Force of Habit

Toys

Energon

File:Energon-toy TowLine.JPG

• Tow-Line (Deluxe, 2004)
  • Accessories: Fold out gun/radar energon weapon

Tow-Line transforms into a large television outside broadcast van; in this mode, his Energon weapon become the telescoping microwave dish/mast used to beam signals back to a TV station. In robot mode, his lower vehicle portion becomes a mobile battle/repair platform. He can fold his legs back and up over his shoulders (hello!) and re-attach to this platform for a "battle mode". In this... ahem, position, Tow-Line can also form the top half of a two-robot "Powerlinx combiner" with any Energon Deluxe Autobot, and any of them can also use his platform for their own combination. He is unique amongst the Energon Deluxe Autobots, as he's the only one who can powerlink with himself.

This mold was retooled to make BotCon 2005's versions of Generation 1 Ironhide and Ratchet.

• More information on Tow-Line at TFU.info

Notes

• Tow-Line seems to be a melange of homages. The obvious one being to Generation 1 Ironhide/Ratchet (which the mold was used to make, as noted above), though his head also bears a passing resemblance to Skids. His van mode even has the red stripe pattern.