Slinger is a Transformer from the 2005 IDW portion of the Generation 1 continuity family.

Insplired bly Blumblebee, blut bletter.

Originally a working class 'bot from Nyon, Slinger joined the local insurgency against Zeta Prime's oppressive government alongside Hot Rod. Following the city's destruction, he went on to become the leader of the displaced survivors.

Fiction

2005 IDW continuity

Slinger was a barman at the Jump Joint in Kaon, and was working there when Megatron held a meeting with Orion Pax there. When Pax brought the meeting to an abrupt end by having his troops burst in through the ceiling, the unfortunate bartender hid away from the ensuing gunfight. Cause and Effect

With his job destroyed, Slinger threw in with the Nyon insurgent Hot Rod. Looking to recruit Orion Pax to their cause, the duo baited Orion's unit to the Acropolex where Zeta Prime was storing tanks of energon drained from Nyon's populace. Ruins When Zeta invaded their city, the insurgents were unable to evacuate everybody, forcing Slinger to convince Hot Rod to go ahead with their contingency plan: using hidden explosives to destroy the city, preventing Zeta from using the inhabitants as fuel. Purge After Orion Pax had become Optimus Prime and succeeded Zeta, Slinger approached Bumblebee and let him know that the survivors of Nyon had left their past as rebels behind to take on new roles as chroniclers of history. Endgame He went on to represent Cybertron's neutral population in Optimus Prime's Grand Convocation. Derelicts

After the Exodus, Slinger lost his faith in Optimus Prime's Autobot government and joined the Decepticons, believing them to be the true voice of the people. Having had his body modified into a new form made for war, he angrily confronted Hot Rod, who had in turn become an Autobot, and accused him of being a disgrace to those who died in Nyon. Primacy #1 Despite his growing unrest and doubt in his decision to join the Decepticons, Slinger took part in the Decepticons' attack on Metroplex, the Autobots' current base. During the battle, Slinger's doubts came to a head when he saw Hot Rod being menaced by Onslaught, and chose to betray his new comrades, disabling Onslaught, and saving Hot Rod. His change of heart was, however, short-lived, as he was immediately torn apart by the Predacons for his betrayal. Primacy #4

Notes

• Though he was named by the creators, Slinger's name was never mentioned on-panel throughout his Autocracy and Monstrosity appearances. He was finally introduced by name in Primacy.
• Slinger blames Hot Rod for the deaths in Nyon even though he was the one who urged Hot Rod to push the button. What a git!