The Topplegangers
From Homestar Runner Wiki
The Topplegangers are the shady mercenary commando biker gang and book club whose action figures were seen in 8-Bit is Enough. The members are Swampslash, Subtlefuge, Dryghost, and Fudgeclank. They fight for either side, depending on who is the highest bidder, and reside in their hideout. Each is sold separately with rifle and gear.
The gang is likely a reference to Zartan's mercenary group, the Dreadnoks, from the G.I. Joe toyline by Hasbro. Their name is a pun on the word "doppelgänger", which means a ghostly double of a living person, or any double or look-alike in particular.
The group is further mentioned in Cheat Commandos: Two Part Episode: Part 1. The members of the Cheat Commandos who had been fired decided to enlist their help in breaking Blue Laser Commander out of prison. In this episode, Subtlefuge is named as the leader, not Swampslash. In Cheat Commandos: Two Part Episode: Part 2, Subtlefuge, like several other Cheat Commandos characters (Fightgar, Blue Laser Commander, Flashfight), speaks with a British accent.
Their figurines are seen in 8-Bit is Enough, but there are noticeable differences between them. For example, all four have normal The Cheat colors in figurine form, but they are all different colors in the cartoon. Additionally, Fudgeclank looks far more colorful and clown-like in the cartoon than the figurine.
[edit] Defining Traits
- Subtlefuge: Crackotage's evil twin. Has chest hair and an anchor tattoo. He also wears earmuffs. Crackotage says Subtlefuge is the leader of the Topplegangers in Cheat Commandos: Two Part Episode: Part 1 and seemingly confirmed in Part 2. His name is a portmanteau of the words subterfuge, meaning to escape through deceit, and subtle, meaning small or unnoticable.
- Dryghost: Second-in-Command of the Topplegangers. Apparently Jewish, as he received the Headquarters Playset for his Bar Mitzvah. He wears a pink shirt reading "BAD GUY" and a pickelhaube.
- Swampslash: Mentioned as Leader of the Topplegangers in 8-Bit Is Enough, but this seems to have since changed to Subtlefuge. A master of disguise and speaks three different languages. Wears a punk outfit.
- Fudgeclank: The "wild card". Enjoys laughing. Dresses like a clown while also wearing a bandolier with hand grenades.
[edit] Complete Filmography
- Debut: 8-Bit is Enough
- Cheat Commandos: Two Part Episode: Part 1 (mentioned)
- Cheat Commandos: Two Part Episode: Part 2
