TRANSFORMERS: Revisiting The Characters Of Generation 1 - SLUDGE

TRANSFORMERS:  Revisiting the Characters of Generation 1

    "Stomp your enemy, crush him under your feet." - Sludge, 1985.

AUTOBOT

Name - SLUDGE

Function - Swamp Warrior, Demolitions

Series Debut - 1985 / Wave 2

Sub-Group - Dinobot

BACKGROUND...

    Upon finding some dinosaur bones, Wheeljack and Ratchet began to ponder the possibility of creating robot-dinosaurs.  The size and strength of these creatures would be valuable in the Autobot's ongoing battle with the Decepticons.  Optimus Prime green-lit the idea and the Autobots, along with human ally - Spike) began to research the ancient beasts.  Working together, the Autobots soon had built a powerful team of "Dinobots".

    The Dinobots are powerful warriors, and Sludge is no exception!  He transforms into a Brontosaurus-type of dinosaur.  In this mode, he has incredibly powerful feet.  The sound and vibrations of his footsteps can be heard and felt 3 miles away.  His foot can stomp up to 40,000 psi and can cause low-level earthquakes.  He has strong armor and can resist most lasers and artillery.  He is specifically built to operate in water, swamp-lands, or jungle territories.

    In his robot mode, Sludge carries an Electron cannon and a rocket pod.  Like his Dinobot brothers, he also wields an Energo Sword!  

    While none of the Dinobots are rocket scientists, Sludge especially, gets a reputation for being dim-witted.  His gentle and shy personality often gets him viewed as a simpleton and he often falls victim to the destruction that he, himself, has caused.  Yet despite what others think of him, when he steps into the fight, he is unstoppable!

MY THOUGHTS...

    I think Sludge was the last of the 5 Dinobots I got.  I believe I got him a little late in the game, like Christmas 1986 or 1987.  All the Dinobots were awesome, it just took me awhile to collect all 5 as my attention was divided amongst all the new Joe and Transformer toys constantly coming out.

    Anyways, Sludge was an awesome character.  His "stupidity", as Megatron would say, gave him a likable charm.  He was one of the more kinder of the Dinobots - especially when contrasted against Grimlock and Slag's "grouchy" personalities.  His simplicity gave some humor to some intense battle scenes...

Slag - "Which one's, friend?" 

Sludge - "Uhhhh, one's with face like this I think..."  (points to Autobot symbol).

    Sludge here is represented by the 2024 Studio Series 86 Sludge!  This is a fantastic update of the figure!  The shear size alone commands your attention!  He towers over most figures, just like a Dinobot should.  He's well articulated and has fantastic detail.  The ONLY thing that would improve this figure is to give him the proper vac-metalized parts and his sword and original rifle.  Yet, even without those things, this figure is difficult to top!  

    Fun fact, for years I thought Sludge had a white stripe down the center of his head - like a skunk.  Apparently, it has always been silver.  Go figure...

    (Information on the character's lore was taken from the Sunbow Transformers cartoon series, including the Movie and the figure's original Tech-Spec.)