Skullgrin

Skullgrin is a Decepticon Pretender whose monstrous outer shell allows him to pass among humans undetected. He is sent to Earth and briefly pursues a career as a Hollywood monster-movie actor, exploiting his fearsome disguise before his true nature threatens to expose him.

Skullgrin stomped onto the scene in 1988's The Transformers #49, a Copper Age Decepticon creation from the legendary Bob Budiansky and José Delbo during Marvel's landmark run on the franchise. Sharing panels with heavyweights like Scorponok, Starscream, Soundwave, and Optimus Prime himself, this is a character who debuted in genuinely distinguished company. Collected in the Transformers Compendium, Skullgrin has proven durable enough to remain a part of the conversation across an impressive 37-year span — a testament to the enduring appetite fans have for the deeper cuts of Transformers lore. For collectors who love hunting the full roster beyond the household names, Skullgrin is exactly the kind of find that makes digging through long boxes so rewarding.