Ten Deadliest Killers

The "Ten Deadliest Killers" are a Decepticon subgroup from the Generation 1 continuity family.

Decepticons are well-known to take pride into killing hapless Autobots. Among them, the Ten Deadliest Killers, as Impactor himself puts it, are certainly the most reckless and brutal warriors the Decepticons have to offer. They've made themselves a reputation by... well, killing a lot of people on Cybertron. The strikeforce serves under the orders of the Decepticon High Command.

Known members include :

• Macabre
• The Coneheads
  • Dirge (presumed leader)
  • Ramjet
  • Thrust
• The Insecticons
  • Bombshell
  • Kickback
  • Shrapnel
• The Decepticon Triple Changers
  • Octane
  • Blitzwing

Fiction

Marvel Generation 1 comics

Events from the UK-only comic stories are in italics.

The group was on Cybertron serving under Straxus when contact was first made with the long-lost Earthbound Decepticons. The Smelting Pool! They assembled to ambush Xaaron, who was having a meeting with "Autobot leaders". Kickback reported back to Decepticon High Command as to Xaaron's presence, and Decepticons including Dirge, Ramjet, Thrust, the Insecticons, and a new member of the team by the name of Macabre were dispatched to the location. However, it was all a set-up for a Wreckers ambush, namely Operation: Volcano.

Dirge, somehow escaping death for once.

Fortunately for the Decepticons, just before they fell into the trap, Megatron established communications with Cybertron and demanded the presence of the Coneheads and the Insecticons with all possible speed over the space bridge. Macabre, who was eager to dispose of Xaaron, protested, but the rest of the strikeforce eventually left per Megatron's orders. Macabre, wishing to be acknowledged for something, decided to continue the mission alone. He had Xaaron in his sights when Impactor intervened, taking the shot meant for the Emirate.

Frustrated at being cheated of his kill, Macabre jumped to his feet to take another shot, all the time ranting about how much he was going to kill Xaaron. Unfortunately for him, the assembled Wreckers blew him into spare parts, and that was the last anyone saw of Macabre. Target: 2006

The group probably disbanded after this, as the Coneheads and the Insecticons joined Megatron on Earth Aerialbots over America! while the Triple Changers stayed on Cybertron, under Ratbat's command. Crater Critters

Notes

• The tenth member of the strikeforce is unknown, although most theories consider Astrotrain to be the last killer, as he is a Decepticon Triple Changer and was the one who informed the group of Megatron's orders.