Slinger the Ocelot[3][1] is a character that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing. He was an anthropomorphic ocelot and was the marksman of the Diamond Cutters. He was betrayed by their infiltrator; Mimic the Octopus and killed by Shadow Androids.
Appearance
Slinger was a teal-furred, anthropomorphic ocelot with pink eyes and a dark pink nose. He had triangular ears with tan canals and had white fur on his muzzle, chest and tail tip. He also had turquoise markings on top of his head, above his eyes and his tail.[3]
For attire, Slinger wore a large, gray and dark gray poncho and a similarly colored military beret, which he hung on his right ear, as well as a dark gray belt with revolver holsters. Like the other Diamond Cutters, he wore dark gray gloves with gray palms and gray boots with dark gray toes and soles.
History
Past
Slinger used to be part of the Diamond Cutters, an elite anti-Eggman mercenary team, as their marksman. His Wisp companion was a Cyan Wisp. During one mission at an Eggman base, Slinger, along with Smithy the Lion and Claire Voyance, pretended to be captured by Mimic, who had shapeshifted into an Egg Pawn. After they managed to fool the guarding Egg Pawn there, Claire sensed a formation of Badniks on the far end of the base and two more on the inside that were recharging. This prompted Slinger to shoot down several Egg Pawns that stood in their way. He soon followed Mimic out of the facility after he created an exit with his Cube Wispon.
The Diamond Cutters would be sitting around a fire with Smith and Slinger teasing each other while Claire and Whisper quietly discuss on them two never understanding what the boys are talking about. Smith makes an announcement saying how they did not come out here just to reminisce, but Smithy wants to introduce a device that can boost their success and keep them more hidden. Their called Concealers that can record, project and more with him further saying their Badnik proof, Eggman-proof and comfy. Slinger says he gets a new toy with Whisper saying it's different from Slingers when Whisper asks Mimic what's his like and he remains silent.
Smithy starts by saying how he was an engineer and loved math and him giving a speech about friendship while Slinger laughs. Smithy gets serious and says how they are more than just mask saying how when there out there they are one; A unit stopping the Eggman Empire one tower at a time. Claire takes in saying how when the war is over she wants to remain a team and further saying how they can become a faction like the Resistance with Slinger saying there's will be way cooler. Whisper then says how she wants to say something and starts by saying Smith is smart, brave and the biggest teddy bear she's ever met, she than says Claire is caring and always keeping an eye out for everyone, Whisper continues saying how Slinger is hilarious while Mimic she says how it makes her feel so much better when he's down there watching their backs and thanks him for making the team feel complete and after they chant Diamond Cutters. Mimic then says how the masks are beautiful gifts and saying how he needs to stretch his legs and Whisper agrees.[4]
Demise
Later, at the onset of the Eggman War, Mimic secretly betrayed the Diamond Cutters and aligned himself with Dr. Eggman. He brought a plan before the Diamond Cutters to take down an Eggman base that cause a blackout among his forces along the coastline. At the Eggman base that the team decided to take down, the Diamond Cutters found no opposition. Claire tried to use her powers but could not sense anything, deducing that Eggman must have been emitting alpha waves somewhere to block her. After Mimic went to scout for an ambush, Slinger, Claire, and Smithy pressed onwards to find large capsules where Claire believed the source of the alpha waves was coming from. In the capsules, the trio discovered Shadow Androids. Suddenly, the room was automatically locked and trapped them inside. Slinger was then forced to fight the Shadow Androids with all his might and tried calling contacting Mimic and Whisper for an evacuation but they did not respond. Slinger was soon killed in battle.[3]
Legacy
As with Slinger's death would weigh heavily on Whisper, who blamed herself in part for not being able to save him.
After Eggman discovered that Whisper was alive, he sent Mimic to go finish the job or else he'll face the consequences. Mimic went outside as Slinger to try and lure Whisper out of hiding; however, there was no sign of his former teammate. Finding her Wispon, Mimic decided to use it, as well as his own mask, as evidence that he had killed her.
Later, Mimic used his appearance as a means of traumatizing and intimidating Whisper.[5]
Personality
Slinger was quite a suave and casual person who knew how to fight with style. He believed in justice and personally opposed everything Dr. Eggman stood for. He was quite calculated and often knew when to be cautious of his surroundings. Though he took his missions seriously, he often found much fun and enjoyment in fighting.[3] He was also not very open about his past or motivations, remaining a mystery even to Mimic.[3] However, he always fought with his friends, who could rely on him.[3]
Laid back and confident, Slinger often mocked his mechanical opponents in the middle of a fight.[3] He also liked to juggle his Wispons, although it made his team nervous.[1]
Powers and abilities
Slinger was a skilled marksman. Due to him wielding dual revolver-styled Laser Wispons and twirling them casually in the middle of battle, it is possible he was ambidextrous.[3]
Slinger was also a trained soldier and thus, had experience fighting in war-like situations.[1]
Weapons and equipment
For missions he would wear a cyan, black and gray monocle-like eyepiece Concealer with a white wire on his left eye.[3] The eyepiece also had a built-in camera and was networked, so that all teammates could watch the footage as means of reviewing mission performance and studying each others' perspectives. It also had a built-in translator that let him understand the Wisps' language.[3]
Slinger also used two revolver-styled Laser Wispons, which were powered by his Cyan Wisp companion. Slinger would use its offensive functions during missions.[3]
Relationships
Diamond Cutters
Slinger was very close friends with his teammates, Whisper, Smithy, Claire, and Mimic. He enjoyed making jokes and make them laugh. Unfortunately Slinger, as well as his other teammates, had no idea of Mimic's true nature, which costed most of the Diamond Cutters' lives.
Slinger's Cyan Wisp
It's unknown how exactly Slinger's relationship with his Cyan Wisp was, but it is clear they were very close and loved each other.
Friends/allies
- Diamond Cutters (teammates)
- Claire Voyance
- Mimic the Octopus (impersonator)
- Smithy the Lion
- Whisper the Wolf
- Wisps
Enemies
- Eggman Empire
- Badniks
- Dr. Eggman
- Shadow Androids (killers)
Trivia
- Slinger's species of an ocelot and his choice of weapon being Wispon revolvers brings about a similarity to Revolver Ocelot from the Metal Gear series. He also used Revolver Ocelot's most iconic line "You're pretty good!" as another homage to the Metal Gear character. Slinger was also the youngest of the team at 14, mirroring Ocelot being a prodigy that was already a major in the Soviet GRU with his own elite unit at only 19 years old.
- Being fourteen years old at the time of his death, Slinger was the youngest of the Diamond Cutters.
Gallery
Concept artwork
Model sheets
Trading Cards
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Slinger's Trading Card.
- ↑ Evan Stanley on Twitter. Twitter (5 September 2019). Archived from the original on 24 October 2019. Retrieved on 24 October 2019.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper #3, "Betrayal"
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog Annual 2024, "Shattered Diamonds".
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper #2, "Ambush"
External links
- Slinger the Ocelot at IDW Sonic Hub Wiki, the IDW Sonic wiki.
