G.I. Joe Classified Series Sgt. Slaughter review

As a massive wrestling fan who also loved any and all things G.I. Joe. Sgt. Slaughter joining up with the team with the fifth series was a figure dream come true.

Sarge fit in with no problem with the team being a featured player in the cartoon as the Joe counterpunch to Serpentor and even getting a little burn in the Real American Hero comics from Larry Hama.

It seemed like the closest we would get to Sarge in the Classified Series line would be the Mattel WWE Elite figures or the Valaverse version. Thankfully, Hasbro was able to strike an arrangement to get Sgt. Slaughter re-enlisted in the six-inch figure ranks. Now atten-hut you maggots! We’re gonna see if this drill instructor has what it takes to make the squad.

Packaging: Here’s a pretty good example of this new enclosed style of packaging. I like the blue accent color for Sarge. The artwork for Sarge is great with various portraits featuring Sarge in comic book, cartoon and action figure form. His stats are more prominent on the side as well as the rear.

As always, I’m waiting on the GI Joe characters page to upload new bios since they’re not included with the figures anymore.

Likeness: It’s hard to come up with gripes here. This figure is sculpted pretty much exactly as I envisioned a Classified Series Sgt. Slaughter to look. From the slightly jutted chin the intensity of the eyes and the “guns” popping in the tank top.

Hasbro even gave him a flash of hair without going too generous. Sarge wasn’t exactly Tomax or Xamot with lush, flowing locks. The tank top/camo pants is my preferred look for Sarge – although the vest version with the Warthog isn’t a bad secondary attire.

Sgt. Slaughter is using the Heavy Artillery Roadblock mold. The Classified Series line is all about smart reuse. I wish Hasbro had some extra parts to make Slaughter taller. I would prefer him being thicker and taller than the other Joes.

Scale: The Roadblock mold is the tallest of the available Joes so he’s looking down at Stalker, Duke, Snake Eyes and looking eye to eye with Roadblock and Gung-Ho.

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Paint: Like most Classified Series figures, Sgt. Slaughter’s paintwork is solid and crisp. Paint sprays and sloppy applications aren’t the norm for the line and that’s not the case with him either.

I wouldn’t complain about a more intricate camo pattern, but that’s been the norm with the line since the start and unlikely to change now.

There’s some black bleeding through the upper portion of his tank top, which is a little annoying.

Articulation: Sarge is more of a physical fighter than one taking careful aim with his blasters or pistol.

He’d prefer to charge into a pack of Vipers and BATS as opposed to fighting from a distance. The HA Roadblock mold is nice and fluid allowing for great posing and powerful looking stances.

Sgt. Slaughter has:

• head
• neck
• shoulders (butterfly)
• elbow (double-jointed)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• mid-torso
• torso
• waist
• hips (ball-jointed)
• drop down hips
• knees (double-jointed)
• ankles

Accessories: Slaughter came with a solid amount of accessories packed in a cardboard storage locker. This is a clever and handy way to store accessories for the figures going forward.

He’s got his sunglasses, drill sergeant cap, a whistle and instructor baton.

Additionally, he comes with a small MOC action figure that can be opened up in a nice touch.

He’s also got a larger machine gun with a removable magazine and scope.

Finally, he comes with eight sets of swappable hands.

Worth It? Slaughter gets a special bonus exclusive price so he’s around $33.99. That feels like a bit of a markup because of the character’s popularity.

Fortunately, my local comic book shop had him for $29.99 and with a special Black Friday deal, I nabbed him for under $25, which was a great deal.

Rating: 9.8 out of 10

I’m not a fan of the price tag and the bleed through the torso, but it’s a Classified Series Sgt. Slaughter. How can I find too much to gripe about here?

Where to Get It? Sarge is all over. You can get him from online retailers like Amazon and Entertainment Earth as well as local comic book stores.