Overkill (G1)
| The name or term "Overkill" refers to more than one character or idea. For a list of other meanings, see Overkill (disambiguation). |
- Overkill is a Decepticon Mini-Cassette from the Generation 1 continuity family.
As you might guess from the name, Overkill is all about excess. Sometimes this works to his advantage, such as when his endless tirades and theatrics distract his foes in combat. Sometimes excess works to his disadvantage, such as when he gets so caught up in showing off that he becomes distracted in combat. And sometimes it just makes him look silly, swinging and blasting at a fallen foe long after the fight has ended.
Though he talks a better game than he fights, Overkill's dinosaur mode is strong enough to be a decent threat... except when the circuits that control his size-change from cassette to dinosaur malfunction (as they are wont to do) and he finds himself stuck as an audiotape-sized dino. Awwww!
Fiction
Generation 1 cartoon continuity
Madman The Transformers comic
In the year 2001, Overkill, along with Slugfest, Ratbat, Beastbox, and Squawktalk, were dispatched by Soundwave to locate the Matrix of Leadership, which Optimus Prime had buried somewhere at the construction site of Autobot City, prior to the mass Autobot evacuation of Cybertron. Slugfest had to explain what "excavation" was to the dull witted Beastbox, though Squawkbox ended up finding the Matrix. However, Slugfest and Squawktalk were then run over by Hot Rod. The Transformers
The Transformers cartoon
In 2006, during a battle on Earth's Moon, Overkill was one of the many "primitive" Transformers who answered the call put forth by Primacron's assistant in response to the threat posed by Tornedron. He was not seen again afterward. Call of the Primitives
The Headmasters comic
After the Decepticons abandoned Earth, Soundblaster remained behind with his cassettes. He jumped the Witwicky family out of nowhere, and had Overkill and Slugfest keep them hostage while he taunted their protector, Chromedome. While his back was turned, though, Overkill and Slugfest were overwhelmed and defeated by Daniel Witwicky.
Daniel Witwicky. The Headmasters #8
G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers
As part of Serpent O.R.'s Decepticon forces, Overkill attempted to prevent a group of Autobots and Joes from escaping Decepticon headquarters. While trying to devour Hawk, he bragged about his future girl-bot harem and let slip that Serpent O.R. had captured Optimus Prime, only to be violently blinded by Snake-Eyes. Despite his claims that he didn't need his eyes anyway, Overkill fell to the ground unconscious. The Art of War #5
Custom Class bio
In a gambit to counter a string of humiliating defeats by Grimlock, Overkill's leader had this new body built for Overkill. Overkill's chronic failure to grow larger in robot mode had become a permanent condition, sidelining him from the battlefield. This new body carries an armored interface housing in its chest allowing Overkill to be inserted in cassette mode, effectively overcoming his disability.[1]
Special Edition bio
Overkill reinstalled his cerebro-circuitry into a larger, more dangerous body. Doing so released him from his status as a partner and slave to Soundwave. He is now free to indulge in his destructive whims.
Marvel Comics continuity
Classics
After the war officially ended on Klo, Overkill was one of the handful of Bludgeon's Decepticons who scattered to the far corners of the universe. He, Drag Strip, and Acid Storm were waiting on a dusty planet when Springer's rogue team of Autobots attempted to hunt them down. At Fight's End
Recordicons
Overkill pronounced himself the most fearsome of the Recordicons, towering over all the others. Of course, Buzzsaw simply had to frighten him to make him emit a high-pitched shriek, which completely undercut his argument. Recordicons #22
Regeneration One
Overkill was present on Cybertron when the Dark Matrix creature attacked the population and was converted into a shadow-leech alongside Soundwave, Howlback, Slugfest, Squawktalk, Beastbox and Wingthing. Their combined form menaced Ravage before he was rescued by Shockwave and Starscream. King of Shadows The shadow-leeches ceased to be a threat once Rodimus Prime defeated the Dark Matrix creature. The War to End All Wars, Part 5
IDW Generation 1 continuity
Following the end of the Autobot/Decepticon war, Overkill was part of Snap Trap and Hun-Gar's combined forces occupying Temptoria, and he was also huge. He took part in the battle when a large part of the Lost Light crew visited the planet in search of the Circle of Light, and at one point was fighting Skids, Chromedome and Steeljaw. Before & After
Games
Transformers Legends
Toys
Generation 1
- Slugfest and Overkill (Mini-Cassettes, 1987)
- Accessories: Left & right "motion missile" pods
- Overkill was only available with his partner, Slugfest, and transforms from a blue and white microcassette into what his cardback bio calls a "Tyrannosaurus" (the actual toy more resembles a ceratosaur, with a prominent nose-horn T. rex lacks.). He has two non-firing chromed "motion missile" weapons which attach to his robot-dino mode.
- Overkill (Cassettron, 1987)
- Japanese ID number: D-109
- Accessories: Left & right "motion missile" pods, tape case
- In Japan, Takara's Overkill was available only by himself. Like all Japanese releases of the cassettes, he also came with a clear-plastic "tape case" to store in.
Timelines
- Overkill (Deluxe, 2007)
- Accessories: Missile launcher, missile, tail-flail
- This repaint of Classics Grimlock was only available in the customization class at BotCon 2007. Parts were provided (cast in Grimlock's colors), but the individuals taking the class had to assemble and paint the toy. He transforms from robot mode to a mechanical Tyrannosaurus rex. His spring-loaded bayonet blaster can fire a clear projectile, as well as peg via 5mm post onto his hands and back. His beast mode tail becomes a 5mm-held flail weapon in robot mode.
- A design flaw causes the shoulder pegs to be too small to firmly lock into their peg-holes.
Universe (2008)
- Overkill ("Special Edition" Deluxe, 2008)
- Accessories: Missile launcher, missile, tail-flail
- Classics Grimlock was once again used as the base to make the 2008 Universe "Special Edition" version of Overkill. Unlike the BotCon customization class version above, this toy has actually been redecoed in bluish-white and blue plastics. Like the other "Special Edition" figures, Overkill comes in a black book box-style packaging with monochrome art.
- Though an Asian/Australian exclusive, Overkill was available for purchase in the United States via Hasbro Toy Shop, and was eventually sold at clearance prices at Marshalls stores.
Device Label
- Overkill (Device Label, 2009)
- Overkill would have transformed from a working USB laser mouse into a light grey and blue mechanoid raptor, but an early BigBadToyStore solicitation for him was almost immediately supplanted by a solicitation for Grimlock, once better information was had.
 Proceed on your way to oblivion. |
Encore
- Great Cassette Operation Vol.3 (2009)
- Encore number: 19
- Accessories: Left & right "motion missile" pods, tape case
- Overkill was reissued for the first time in over 20 years, along with Rumble, Frenzy, and Laserbeak, as part of TakaraTomy's Encore line. This version also came with a tape case.
Notes
- Overkill had the preliminary name of Gouge.
Foreign names
- Japanese: Overkill (オーバーキル Ōbākiru)
- French: Mâchoire ("Jaw")
Footnotes
- ↑ This information is summarized from the BotCon 2007 Custom Class booklet.
