Slash variations question

[BubbaShelby]

The only TMNT toy I ever bought during their initial run was Slash. My original had a black belt and darker colored belly. I somehow lost/misplaced that turtle, but have since reacquired a Slash with lighter yellow belly and purple/hot pink/whatever you call that color belt with red 's'. You can see my current Slash here: http://toyriffic.blogspot.com/2012/01/slash-and-burn.html

I've learned a bit about the belt variations and belly color variations, but I am curious how many variations of the original Slash there are, and if there are theories as to why they went so far as to re-color the belts (and 'S' on the buckle.) Not many (any?) other TMNT figures have belt color variations, right?

Are there any theories or concrete evidence as to the reasons behind the Slash variations? Was a certain variation an early release? Which variations are hardest to come by?

Thanks!

[pannoni1]

According to the late TMNT Figure Database, there were six Slash variants, with my rough estimates on rarity:
SLASH (Black Belt, Yellow S, Mustard "Darker colored" Belly)- This is by far the most common
SLASH (Black Belt, Light Green S, Mustard Belly)-Second rarest
SLASH (Purple Belt, Red S, Bright Belly)- This is the rarest variant
SLASH (Purple Belt, Red S, Mustard Belly)-Third rarest
SLASH (Purple Belt, Yellow S, Bright Belly)- Third most common
SLASH (Purple Belt, Yellow S, Mustard Belly)- Second most common

According to the 1990 Playmates Catalog, slash had the Purple Belt, Red S, and Mustard Belly so that might have been the earliest variant released, while the Black Belt, Yellow S, and Mustard Belly was the final variant, and it probably switched to Purple Belt, Yellow S along the way. The Mustard/Bright Belly variations were probably based on where the figures were manufactured, and the Black Belt/Light Green S may have either been an error or another production studio later in the toy's run.

[BubbaShelby]

Thanks for the info - I had never heard of the green 's' variation!

It's cool to have one of the rarer versions, but honestly I prefer the black belt to the purple one - and am partial to the mustard belly since I had him originally. But any Slash is better than no Slash at all!

[BubbaShelby]

By the way - does anyone know what is up with Slash's gold 'eye'? Is that supposed to be a glass lens or a gold coin or what? I'm sure there must have been some backstory on that somewhere.

[1988]

I have purple belt, red S...didnt realise there was a belly colour variation...hopefully it is the rarer version, will check now

[spoon]

Anyone have a pic of the "green" s I've never heard of this.