Eagle Killer

This article is about the Beastformer. For the Spychanger from Robots in Disguise, see R.E.V..

Eagle Killer is a Beastformer from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Eagle Killer
Qu'est-ce que c'est
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-fa-far better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run away oh, oh, oh

The northern area of Cape Mud is a harsh place, and it bred a harsh beast in the form of Eagle Killer (イーグルキラー Īguru Kirā). Devious and proud, he's got strength and tremendous flying ability to back up his bravado, always ready to take on any challenge. He's always at his "best" when he's thinking up something awful. And while his MVP Weapon, the Skeleton Killer (スケルトンキラー Sukeruton Kirā), doesn't have any direct offensive special abilities, it can emit vibrational waves that allow him to practically see through ground-based obstacles, letting him swoop quickly and easily through fog, darkness and thick woods without ever losing sight of his target.

But for all he puffs himself up, his pride is not endless. Losing total control of a situation can crack his confidence, and the worse things go for him, the more likely he is to panic and stumble.

During the Great War for planet Beast, he joined with Alligatron's insurgents, but returned to his homeland of Nirmud at the war's end to rule as its King... with his subordinate Emperor being Baboon, who fought for White Leo's resistance. He's also got a real grudge against Razorkukku for reasons unknown. But it's clear he's willing to put this all aside in the face of the threat of the Laser Beast invasion.

Fiction

Beastformers comic

Eagle Killer was among the Beastformers participating in the war with the Laser Beasts. During one battle, he bore witness to Rabbit Kid and Bombsheep arriving with their Hunters and saving the day. Beastformers VS Laser Beasts

Legends comic

In 2038, the then-peaceful Beast was invaded by Galvatron II's Decepticons. Eagle Killer was part of the joint Beastformer-Laser Beast alliance that fought against the invaders. The Road to Legends' Revival Chapter 3

Toys

Transformers: Beastformers

Hawk! A vagrant!

• Eagle Killer (Beastformer, 1987)

• ID number: 70
• Pack: F
• Accessories: Trident (usually)

Part of the third series of Takara's Beastformers toys, Eagle Killer is a gray anthropomorphic hawk in blue robotic armor. The Battle Emblem on his chest reveals one of three symbols when warmed up; Fire, Water or Wood.

He usually comes with a purple trident weapon marked with the same ID number as on his back. However, Beastformers is notorious for toys coming with someone else's weapon; it's unclear if this was just originally poor QC, but in the sequel series, this semi-random weaponry was actually turned into a "gimmick".

He was only available in the "F Pack" assortment, and came in a green-grid generic "Destron Beastformer" box. He came with a bio card with a comic-style character image on a jungle backdrop, though there was a chance his bio card would instead be replaced with the rare "VS Holography Mirror" card featuring Green Chameles and Platinum Tiger.

Beastformers

• Eagle Killer (Beastformer, 1988)

• ID number: 70
• Accessories: "Skeleton Killer" MVP Weapon (usually)

Re-released in the Transformers-less Beastformers sequel series, Eagle Killer was given a straight re-release with new packaging and a new, more filled-out bio card with corrected coloring. This new card also gave his weapon, now branded an "MVP Weapon", the name "Skeleton Killer". Speaking of, once again he could come with someone else's weapon rather than his own.

He was sold in the second assortment of individually-packed Beastformers, with a peg-hole in the top flap, and a sticker on the bottom with his name and role on it. This series did not have any kind of "rare card" random pack-in promotion. Samples of Eagle Killer (among others) have also been found on simple bubble cards, with the bio card positioned so the name shows clearly under the figure's feet, but it is uncertain if this style of packaging was ever properly sold at retail.

Late in the run, the "mood ring" styled rubsigns were replaced with new rubsigns that revealed full-color Fire/Wood/Water images on black backdrops. (These rubsign variants also happened at the same time in the Hasbro Battle Beast version of the line.)

• Perfect 6-Piece Set (Box set, 1988)

• Accessories: "Skeleton Killer" MVP Weapon

Eagle Killer was also part of the "Perfect 6-Piece Set" (パーフェクト6体セット Pāfekuto 6 Tai Setto, the English text on the packaging renders it as "Beastformer 6 Animals Set") multi-pack, unchanged from his prior releases.

Five of the six slots in this box set will always have the exclusive Crystal Killer Fish, plus the "common" Beastformers Baboon, Cobrander, Eagle Killer, and Shield Dragon. The sixth would be either Demonkey or Little Serow, both of whom were also only available in this set, meaning you'd need to buy two for a complete collection. Thankfully, a panel on the bottom-right corner of the box back tells the buyer which six figures are in that set, so at least it's not blind luck this time.

Notes

• His 1987 character art (seen at top) incorrectly colors his weapon silver. His 1988 art corrects this mistake.
• His 1988 bio card gives him the nickname "Taka-chan" (タカちゃん), "taka" being the Japanese word for "hawk" and "chan" an honorific for someone you find endearing, like a young child, very close friend or cute animal. Basically, it's like calling him "Hawkie", giving a big rough guy a nickname like "Bubbles" or "Tiny".

Foreign names

• English: Harrier Hawk