Bio:

Enjoys melting enemies into pools of liquid metal. Like his fellow Dinobots, resents authority. Disruptive – often brawls with comrades. Shoots 3000 degrees Celcius flame up to 80 feet from mouth. Enormous strength – can shatter a brick building with head. Uses electron blaster in Dinobot mode. Rash, not too bright. Nasty, mean-spirited … often the other Autobots won’t help when he’s in trouble.

Introduction:

Slag has always been my favorite Dinobot. I recall owning a Generation 2 version of him growing up, but cannot remember what it was like playing with him other than transforming his legs and tail gave me fits. Around the end of 2013 I was getting a little burnt out with collecting and documenting my Generation 1 collection, combined with some difficult life changes. It was the decision to find Slag that woke me up a bit and rejuvenated my motivation to kick this journey back into gear after a nearly six month hiatus.  Finding and fiddling with Slag has given me excitement that only a transforming dinosaur can.

Where I bought Slag:

Slag was a purchase at BotCon 2014 in Pasadena, California. I had purchased it for $75 from a dealer I’m fairly certain I have bought at least one item from since BotCon 2009. The box is in fairly good condition, comes with all accessories, and I even secured an unapplied sticker sheet (I’m still 50/50 on applying G1 stickers).

Slag can be purchased for a range of prices. If you’re going to get a complete one, start budgeting for around $45-50, that’s a safe estimate. If you’re like me and enjoy the packaging, a safe budget number would be around $65 and up; you’ll always pay a little extra for packaging.

Also, be aware of knock offs. The Dinobots have increased immensely in popularity and the KOs are becoming abundant and harder to spot. If you see a “reissue” Slag or one still sealed in its packaging, have caution! There is NO reissue of any Dinobot. If it’s too good to be true, it’s likely fake. Keep an eye out for how the chrome is colored on his chest, the color of his spikes, and verify the date stamp on his left thigh – that seems to be the easiest way to spot the knock offs.

*** As a reminder, please click on the images to view their full size ***

A “fairly good condition” box means this. That’s kind of funny.

*Colors may vary* In traditional G1 fashion, Slag’s box art shows the figure with a red face and fists.

Alt Mode:

Slag transformers into a beautifully proportioned triceratops dinosaur, one that has just the right amount of chrome placed in the right spots. I love how his frill is the dominant focal point of the figure and draws your attention. It’s such a well done mode I’m happy to display him this way for the majority of time while in my display case. The simple fact that Slag is a robotic dinosaur that transforms into an ass-kicking robot is cool enough, but let’s also not forget he breathes fire in this mode too. How could any kid (or collector) not find this awesome?

Unlike many Autobot cars or Decepticon jets, Slag is somewhat posable in his alternate form. He has an opening jaw/mouth and moving limbs that give you a good range of motion. Handling Slag now as an adult, I can still see why the Dinobots have such a huge following and in particular why Slag is still my favorite.

 

Robot Mode:

I’m happy to report I understand how to transform Slag’s legs and tail now, nearly 20 years after owning the Generation 2 figure! Kidding aside, Slag’s robot mode is nearly as impressive as his robotic dinosaur mode. His lower half becomes stationary while his arms can swing up and down for articulation. The eye catching colors and chrome do wonders for robot mode – a great mix of red, gold, and silver chrome throughout the figure. My only disappointment with this mode is the dinosaur tail. Unfortunately little transformation happens to it and you’re forced to keep it dangling on the back of the figure, being used as somewhat of a support beam.

Slag’s accessories. 

 Interesting to note are the differences between the box art (the more cartoon accurate Slag) and the actual figure. The red face and fists I’m sure caused some questions and wonder when children opened their figure 30 years ago. Both are strikingly good looking figures, which makes me tempted to track down a red faced Slag. That’s for another time though.

Dynamic action poses. Still looks damn good. 

Fully armed and ready to throw some fire around! 

Evolution:

Boy, if you are a Dinobot fan now is your time! With Age of Extinction currently playing in theaters to enormous financial success, the Dinobots are at an all time high, which includes Slag. Just before TFcon 2014, an explosion of unofficial/third party companies also announced their Dinobots figures to fit in with your Classics/Generations display. Not to mention unofficial companies are also giving collectors masterpiece styled Dinobots as well …

The recently released FansToys Scoria

The only Evolution I currently have for my Generation 1 Slag is FansToys Scoria: a masterpiece representation. FansToys simply delivers with this figure despite stumbling out of the gate with QC concerns for Scoria (my figure luckily turned out to be in great shape). This unofficial figure captures Slag’s cartoon appearance beautifully while appealing to the high end collector with diecast, chrome pieces, and a transformation that is simple and satisfying. I can’t call it a perfect representation of G1 Slag, but it evokes so much  personality that was great about the G1 toy AND cartoon. With Slag being my favorite Dinobot I could not be happier with this representing an updated Slag in my showcase. Fitting for the Masterpiece collector and fan of the Dinobots.

If a masterpiece type figure doesn’t scratch your itch for an updated Slag, I’d sit patiently and wait for the soon to be released FansProject figure (my personal choice among the many companies doing Dinobots) or be patient for the inevitable Hasbro release, which will be damn good if they get around to it.

Alt Mode Comparison:

You’ll see the biggest discrepancy between G1 and modern day Slag in the triceratops mode. The running joke on TFW2005 is Scoria looks more like a potato than a dinosaur. Although I’ll admit Scoria is a bit bloated, I personally don’t see the fuss and appreciate the masterpiece treatment we see in Scoria to represent a terrific Slag.

Moving head with opening jaw. 

Potato … whatever. 

Fantastic dinosaur mode articulation. 

Robot Mode Comparison:

Every time I pose Scoria or simply pick him up, I see the near perfect Generation 1 Slag on a masterpiece level. This masterpiece level figure even fixed my biggest issue with my G1 toy: the lingering tail, which now folds neatly and away behind Scoria. Fantastic representation of Slag in this figure and a wonderful evolution of a toy from nearly 30 years ago. I hope Hasbro and Takara can partner and deliver an even better Masterpiece Slag.

Red cartoon face – one of four head options. 

Overall: 9/10

I find myself rating these Generation 1 figures remarkably high on a personal “I like it scale” from 1 to 10, 10 being the “Absolutely have to own it” rating. I can’t help myself, especially when I’m finding figures like Slag to be remarkable. Even as an adult still fiddling with this toy, it is very well engineered and looks damn good in either mode. The true appreciation comes when I transform my FansToys Scoria, at this point in time being a definitive piece of any Slag toy for a high entry fee of $200. When transforming this unofficial figure of a transforming robot dinosaur, I find myself having the temptation to transform my G1 Slag right after. That’s a true testament to how fun this G1 toy is, how well it holds up. Maybe I need to be a little more harsh on my feelings towards Generation 1, but damn are they done well, especially Dinobot Slag.

To be continued,

Matty (StayingInTheBox)