Slyboots

Slyboots (or Sly Boots), also known by many other names including Sam Sinister and Lizard Boots, is a villain in Adventurers Egypt theme. He initially appeared alongside Baron von Barron, although he was dropped out of set releases in later subthemes while Baron von Barron became the main villain of the Adventurers series. However, Slyboots still appeared regularly in video games and other Adventurers media.
== Description ==
Slyboots is dressed entirely in black, wearing a Top Hat - Mini Figure and a suit jacket over a collared red shirt. His face is printed with thick eyebrows, handlebar mustache, and goatee, and he wears a pair of glasses with large round white lens over his eyes.
When portrayed as a human in the Time Cruisers comic, Sly Boots has a large, physically-imposing build in order to reflect his backstory as a former prizefighter.
In the intro cutscene of LEGO Stunt Rally, Slyboots is wearing Baron von Barron's outfit: a white pith helmet, a brick yellow safari shirt, and grey pants. Unlike von Barron, Slyboots does not wear epaulets and both his hands are regular bright yellow hands instead of a hook or black glove.
== Name ==
As with all other Adventurers Egypt characters, Slyboots has used a variety of names in different regions, and has even changed names multiple times over the years.Sam Sinister Switcheroo: The History of LEGO Adventurers Names This character is considered one of the most notable cases, with LEGO even joking about it occasionally; the Detective's bio mentions the "Sam Sinister Switcheroo" referring to this character switching names with Baron von Barron.
In Denmark, the character was originally named Slyboots, as seen in 1998-2000 Danish catalogsLEGO Katalog 1998 Catalog2000 Denmark catalog - Page 62 and the Danish language version of LEGO Racers.LEGO Time Cruisers Comics - Page 4 - LEGO Media Content - Rock Raiders United This name also appears in various international English sources, including The Curse of the Mummy - An Interactive Puzzle Book,Curse of the Mummy (Lego Story Puzzles): 9781862087002: Amazon.com: Books LEGO Adventures! Magazine Issue 6,:File:LAM6-4.jpg 5730 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge, and LEGO Racers 2. In Japanese, this name is translated as スライブーツ (Suraibūtsu) on the box of 3023 Slyboots Car. In Germany, the name is written as two words, Sly Boots, in LEGO World Club Magazine March/April 1998,LEGO World Club Magazine March/April 1998 - Page 4 the audio drama 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz, Susanne Schindler-Günther ‎– Die Jagd Nach Dem Pharaonenschatz (1998, Cassette) | Discogs and in the Time Cruisers comic.
In North America, the character was originally named Sam Sinister in LEGO Mania Magazine January/February 1998.LEGO Mania Magazine January/February 1998 - Page 2 This name is also used in 1998-1999 Shop At Home catalogs,Shop At Home January 1998 - Page 8 LEGO Racers, and Soccer Mania. This name is also translated as Sam El Siniestro (Sam the Sinister) in the Spanish language version of LEGO Racers. The LEGO Treasure Quest Electronic Scavenger Hunt Game uses the Sam Sinister name in its instructions; oddly, a LEGO Mania Magazine advertisement for the game instead refers to him as Simon B. Sinister.LEGO Mania Magazine September-October 1998 - Page 20
In the United Kingdom, the character was named Lizard Boots in Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998.Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998 - Pages 2-3 Bricks 'n' Pieces also advertises an Adventurers cartoon using this name.Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998 - Page 15
A Swedish print ad names this character Knock-out Berra.
In LEGO Racers, he is called Uhyggelige Sam (Creepy Sam) in the Norwegian language version and Sluwe Sam (Sly Sam) in the Dutch language version. Interestingly, the latter seems to be a combination of his "Sam Sinister" and "Slyboots" names.
When the Dino Island subtheme began in 2000, Baron von Barron was reintroduced with the name Sam Sinister in North America,LEGO Mania Magazine September/October 2000 - Page 2 despite this name previously belonging to Slyboots in the region. To make matters more confusing, Lord Sam Sinister adopted several of Slyboots' visual characteristics (such as dressing in black, wearing a top hat, and having a goatee) in the Orient Expedition subtheme. However, Slyboots and Lord Sam Sinister are still separate characters, appearing together in LEGO Island 2's Game Boy Color version, LEGO Racers 2, Soccer Mania, and the Orient Expedition train ride in LEGOLAND Windsor Resort. As previously mentioned, LEGO Island 2 and LEGO Racers 2 address the naming issue by using the original Danish "Slyboots" name for this character in all regions, which has caused many fans to accept "Slyboots" as the character's standard name; however, Soccer Mania is the only video game released after 2000 that still refers to this character as Sam Sinister (while Baron von Barron is left unnamed).
Standing Small: A Celebration of 30 Years of the LEGO Minifigure initially refers to this character as Slyboot.Standing Small - Page 36 However, subsequent pages refer to this character as Lord Sam Sinister;Standing Small - Page 37, Page 38 2856195 LEGO Minifigure Ultimate Sticker Collection also refers to this character as Lord Sam Sinister, and incorrectly lists "Mr. Hates" as one of his alternate names.LEGO Minifigure Ultimate Sticker Collection - Page 13 It should be noted that this character has never used the title of "Lord" in any Adventurers media, since this title exclusively belonged to the villain of Orient Expedition; this appears to be one of multiple errors included in these books. While the true Lord Sam Sinister is consistently referred to as Baron von Barron in these books, The LEGO Book also refers to Lord Sam Sinister as the recurring villain of Dino Island and Orient Expedition, further muddying the issue.The LEGO Book - Page 91 The later 2012 edition of The LEGO Book addressed this by clarifying the difference between the original Sam Sinister and the later Lord Sinister, as well as listing some of their alternate names.The LEGO Book Expanded and Fully Revised - Page 100
In 2020, the 10273 Haunted House instruction booklet mentions Sam Sinister when describing the top hat-wearing Forbidden Skeleton.10273 Haunted House instruction booklet, page 195 This is more likely intended as a reference to Slyboots rather than Lord Sam Sinister, considering that the designer video refers to Baron von Barron and Sam Sinister as separate characters.LEGO Haunted House | Scary Theme Park Ride | Designer Video 10273
The 2021 book 5007374 Everything Is Awesome: A Search-and-Find Celebration of LEGO History identifies the character as Villainous Slyboots, making this book one of the few post-Standing Small examples that uses Slyboots' original Danish name instead of his localized North American name.
== Background ==
Slyboots is the partner-in-crime of Baron von Barron, although their exact relationship varies with their names. In North American media, Sam Sinister (Slyboots) is the cunning true mastermind behind Baron von Barron's schemes; in European media, Slyboots is the dimwitted brutish henchman of Mr. Hates and was a former prizefighter, speaking with a pronounced stutter in 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz. In either scenario, both villains are out to follow Johnny Thunder and get the Re-Gou Ruby for their own uses before he could.
In LEGO Racers, Sam Sinister is a CPU racer in Circuits 3 and 6, and appears as the representative of the Adventure Temple Trail racetrack. His minifigure parts are unlocked upon beating Baron von Barron in Circuit 5.
In LEGO Stunt Rally, Slyboots makes a brief cameo in the intro FMV cutscene. He is operating a construction crane in the Jungle, which lowers a loop-de-loop into position on the racetrack.
In the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance versions of LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge, Slyboots appears as one of the characters depicted in collectible trading cards.
In the PC and PlayStation 2 version of LEGO Racers 2, Slyboots appears as a NPC on Dino Island, standing near the T-Rex Transport trailer. When players speak with him, Slyboots will say that only the bravest racers challenge Sam Sanister. In the Game Boy Advance version, Slyboots has a slightly larger role and is found at the Dino Research Compound: he was out collecting Dinosaur Eggs in the fields and ran out of fuel, and he rewards players with a Car Bonus if they collect 10 Dinosaur Eggs and return them to him in 4 minutes. He also reappears on Xalax in the Game Boy Advance version to congratulate the player after beating Rocket Racer and becoming the Galactic Racing Champion.
In Soccer Mania, Sam Sinister is the goalkeeper of the Adventurers Villains team, which plays against the player's team at the Aztec Village on Adventure Island to distract them while the Brickster escapes. In the final soccer match, Sam Sinister reappears as an outfield player in the Intergalactic team, playing alongside other villains such as the Brickster and Cedric The Bull. After beating these teams, the player can add Sam Sinister to their own team. His stats (out of a maximum of 272) are 160 speed, 128 shooting, 128 passing, 128 tackling, and 160 goalkeeping as the Adventurers Villains goalkeeper, and 272 speed, 272 shooting, 272 passing, 272 tackling, and 48 goalkeeping as the Intergalactic outfielder.Soccer Mania ALL Character Stats (Official Numbers) - Game Discussion - Rock Raiders United
According to the backstory of Manor von Barron, Sam Sinister (presumably referring to Slyboots in this context) is rumored to have died in a car explosion while running from the law, making him one of the suspects for the Forbidden Skeleton's true identity. However, since this is only a rumor, the character's actual fate remains unconfirmed.
== LEGO Description ==
== Appearances ==
* 5938 Oasis Ambush
* 5948 Desert Expedition
* 5958 Mummy's Tomb
* 5978 Sphinx Secret Surprise
* 5988 Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins
* 3023 Slyboots Car
=== Audio Drama Appearances ===
* 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz
=== Book Appearances ===
* The Curse of the Mummy - An Interactive Puzzle Book
=== Comic Appearances ===
* Johnny Thunder and the Lost Ruby
* Time Cruisers
* An Adventurous Holiday
* The Red Ruby!
=== Video Game Appearances ===
* LEGO Racers
* LEGO Stunt Rally 
* 5730 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge 
* 5777 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge 
* 5778 LEGO Racers 2 
* 5779 LEGO Racers 2 
* 5780 LEGO Racers 2 
* 5784 Soccer Mania 
== Behind the Scenes ==
In 1996 concept artwork by Niels Milan Pederson, a bearded man with a top hat and glasses is piloting submarines in the Arctic and Loch Ness concepts. These are presumably the earliest depictions of Slyboots.Blocks Issue 104
In the preliminary design document for an unproduced LEGO Adventurers video game, this character was named Doctor Badtoy Piltdown. The document mentions that he has a cockney accent, which is the only time his nationality is ever directly suggested.LEGO® Adventurers: Inhouse Preliminary Design In an earlier rough concept, it was suggested that the "B." in Doctor B. Piltdown's name was "Brickster",LEGO® DIG: Preliminary Rough Concept Development Notes although it was ultimately revealed to be Badtoy instead.
Slyboots was planned to appear as the Bishop in the Adventurers-themed chess set of 5702 LEGO Chess, and would have appeared as the villain of its story campaign.LEGO Chess | Bricks to Bytes
Although Slyboots does not appear in the PC version of 5774 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge, an animation test exists depicting Slyboots (instead of Mr. Hates, as in the final released game) falling out of Bronto's saddle and then climbing back up.Information From Jim Southworth: LEGO Island 2 and Island Xtreme Stunts AnimatorLEGO® Island 2: Bronty Similarly, scripted dialogue for the Game Boy Color version indicates that Slyboots was intended to appear in the cut Hotep's Tomb area and would have thrown items at Pepper Roni;LEGO Island 2 Game Boy Color: Hotep's Tomb Scenes in the final game, he only appears as a collectible trading card.
In the January 12, 2001 LEGO Media Adventurers Island Character Document for LEGO Island 3 (which would later become 14556 Island Xtreme Stunts), Sly Boots is listed as one of the characters in the Valley.LEGO® Island 3: Adventurers Island Character Document Some lines of Sly Boots' character profile are quoted directly from a LEGO Adventurers fan site.Who is Who? Mr. Hates However, he does not appear in any capacity in Island Xtreme Stunts.
== Notes ==
* In 5542644 Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz, Sly Boots is voiced by Thomas Schüler.
* Mr. Cunningham shares several key traits with Slyboots. Both villains are accomplices of Lord Sam Sinister; their names have the synonyms "sly" and "cunning" (which are both translated as "sluwe" in their respective Dutch names); and Mr. Cunningham is also described as a former boxer in a LEGO Media story document.LEGO Dino Island: Brief Description
== Gallery ==
Lego mania magazine jan feb 1998 adventurers bios.jpg|Bio in the January–February 1998 LEGO Mania Magazine
Mrhatesslyboots1.png|Sly Boots in Time Cruisers
Slyboots-LR1.png|Sam Sinister in LEGO Racers
LI2 GBC Slyboots.png|Slyboots in the GBC version of LEGO Island 2
LI2 GBA Slyboots.png|Slyboots in the GBA version of LEGO Island 2
Slyboots.png|Slyboots in LEGO Racers 2
Slyboots GBA.PNG|Slyboots in the GBA version of LEGO Racers 2
LSM Slyboots.jpg|Sam Sinister in Soccer Mania
== References ==
Category:Adventurers Minifigures
Category:Minifigures introduced in 1998
Category:Adventurers Egypt Minifigures
Category:Racers minifigures