Review – SDCC Exclusive Sgt. Slaughter
Triple T Version (Read 2nd)
If you haven’t read my review on the “USA” version of Sarge, stop and go read it first. You’ll get the lowdown on the creation of these figures and where they came from, and I’m going to heavily reference that review in this one, so if you don’t read it first you’ll be wondering what the heck I’m talking about. I’m reviewing the “Triple T” version of the figure. This is a recreation of the Sgt. Slaughter figure that was included with the 1986 Triple T tank. This is both a review and a comparo to the USA version of the Comic-Con exclusive, which is why I say read THAT review first! Do as I order, or I’ll have Sarge haul you off to the Slaughterhouse! Or, if you’re more Cobra-minded: THIS, I COMMAND!!
Just like the “USA” Sarge in his wrestling gear, this figure comes in his own protective, Hasbro designed plastic case, featuring a Joe star and Cobra sigil in each of the top corners, and the GI Joe logo embossed across the back. There’s also a Comic-Con 2010 sticker in the top right corner of the bubble. The two figures have different card art…the “Triple T” version features Sarge standing with his arms crossed and looking stern and mean with a baton in one hand, versus the “USA” version’s charging, grappling pose. The rear of the card features a letter from Sarge in the card’s top half, and it’s the same letter from the “USA” version’s card. The lower half of the card’s rear has the filecard, and besides art that matches the art on the card’s front, it is a word-for-word recreation of the filecard included with the ‘86 Triple T’s figure. Hasbro did their homework and tried to differentiate the figures as much as possible, and having accurate-to-the-last-letter recreations of both original filecards was a nice touch.
As for the figure, Sarge is dressed in an olive drab DI hat, a plain black tank top, green gloves with black wristbands, black web belt with gold/bronze Marine Corps logo buckle, green camo cargo pants, and black combat boots. Like the USA version, Sarge’s right wrist contains an extra point of articulation, allowing the wrist to bend forwards and backwards realistically. Unlike the USA version though, the joint isn’t as well disguised, as the joint is black while the rest of the glove around it is green. It’s hardly noticeable, but it’s still noticeable, unlike on the USA version.
For accessories, Triple T Sarge comes with the same whistle and baton as the other figure. However, instead of a wrestling championship belt and a microphone, this figure comes with a heavy machine gun and a snub-nosed revolver. Both of these weapons were originally seen with Tunnel Rat in the Resolute comic pack with Storm Shadow, and were more recently seen included with the Defense of Cobra Island Range Viper. The machine gun doesn’t have an ammo belt, but it looks fine without it…and you can always steal the belt from Range Viper if you want Sarge to sling an ammo belt across his shoulder while blasting away. I dig the weapons, especially the heavy machine gun…it just seems to really fit Sarge. Don’t get me wrong, you could outfit the USA Sarge with leftover weapons from any number of previous Joes, even the same weapons…but to me, the Triple T version just looks better holding guns.
There’s one key to the Triple T version of Sgt. Slaughter that I think makes him the better of the two figures. The construction of the two exclusives is identical in just about every way…except the legs. The Triple T version’s legs are both beefier looking and slightly longer. They’re only longer by a few millimeters, but it’s amazing what a difference those few millimeters make. The legs look more in proportion to Sarge’s upper body than the USA version, and the extra height gives him a more commanding presence as a figure. The only way to really notice the difference is to get the two figures side by side, but I cannot stress enough how much of a difference those millimeters make. The other key element that makes the Triple T version look nicer is the lack of the USA logo across the split in the chest. It also makes Triple T Sarge more poseable because you can twist his torso without him looking goofy.
One other note: Triple T Slaughter looks really, really good when you actually put him in the Triple T. Sure, his head and hat stick up above the top of the seat a little bit, but I still think he looks great in there. Besides, Sarge is supposed to be big. Why not make him a little bigger than his own tank? He also goes in and out of the seat with absolutely no problem, which is a lot more than can be said than trying to fit most 25th style figures into original-line vehicles.
Bottom line? Both are great figures, and great exclusives, but the Triple T version is the version of Sgt. Slaughter to have. Naturally, the Triple T version is also the rarer of the two, and will cost you more money…anywhere from a $10-30 premium over the USA version, with most of the Triple T Sarges hovering around $50. That’s pretty expensive for a single figure, but if you have to have a 25th-style Sgt. Slaughter in your collection, the $50 will be worth it to you.
