Lord Sam Sinister

Class 4

Sam Sinister
Theme:	Adventurers
Subtheme(s):	Egypt, Amazon, Dino Island, Orient Expedition
Accessories:	Gun, Hat, Helmet
Years:	1998 - 2001, 2003
Appearances
2541 Adventures Car 2879 Desert Expedition 5909 Treasure Raiders set with Mummy Storage Container 5920 Island Racer 5955 All Terrain Trapper 5975 T-Rex Transport 5978 The Secret of the Sphinx 5987 Dino Research Compound 5988 Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins 7409 Secret of the Tomb 7417 Temple of Mount Everest 7416 Emperor's Ship 5914 Sam Sinister and Baby T 7424 Black Cruiser 7414 Elephant Caravan 7418 Scorpion Palace 7424 Black Cruiser LEGO Racers LEGO Racers 2 LEGO Island 2

This article is about the Adventurers Orient Expedition minifigure. For the Adventurers Egypt minifigure, see Slyboots.

Lord Sam Sinister, also known by many other names including Baron von Barron (or Baron von Baron), Sam Sinister (or Sam Sanister), Evil Eye, Mr. Hates, and Samuel Von Barron, is the main villain from the Adventurers and Orient Expedition themes. Sinister competes with Johnny Thunder in all of the Adventurers sub-themes (except for the 1999 theme), for ancient artifacts and treasures from around the world.

Description

Sinister has a hook in place of his left hand. He has a monocle over his right eye, a large handlebar mustache (depicted as mutton chops in World Club Magazine comics), and a scar on his left cheek. He generally wears a tan shirt, which slightly resembles Johnny Thunder's torso printing, a pair of white epaulets, and either a pith helmet or a flying helmet.

In Orient Expedition, Lord Sinister received an updated design. He wears a black version of his original shirt, with a white scarf sporting around his neck, and his pith helmet is replaced with a top hat. His facial printing now sports a small, pointed goatee.

Name

As with all other Adventurers Egypt characters, Lord Sam Sinister has used a variety of names in different regions, and has even changed names multiple times over the years. This character is considered one of the most notable cases, with LEGO even joking about it occasionally; the Infomaniac wonders if Mr. Hates will change his name, and the Detective's bio mentions the "Sam Sinister Switcheroo" referring to this character switching names with Slyboots.

In North America, the character was originally named Baron von Barron in LEGO Mania Magazine January/February 1998. This name is also used in LEGO Racers, Standing Small: A Celebration of 30 Years of the LEGO Minifigure, and 2856195 LEGO Minifigure Ultimate Sticker Collection. This name has been alternatively spelled Baron von Baron, such as in LEGO Mania Magazine November/December 1998 (which uses both spellings on the same page) and the Shop At Home description for 5955 All Terrain Trapper.

In the United Kingdom, the character was originally named Evil Eye in Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998. This name is corroborated by 5928 Bi-Wing Baron, which is called "5928 Evil Eye's Bi-plane" in the UK. Bricks 'n' Pieces also advertises an Adventurers cartoon using this name.

In Germany, the character was originally named Mr. Hates in LEGO World Club Magazine March/April 1998 as well as in the audio drama Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz. This name is also used in other countries, as seen in the Danish language version of LEGO Racers (although he introduces himself as Baron von Baron in his opening cutscene) and on a Japanese sticker sheet for Dino Island. Notably, this name appears in various English sources, including The Curse of the Mummy - An Interactive Puzzle Book, LEGO Adventures! Magazine Issue 6, and 5774 LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge.

A Swedish print ad^[source?] names this character General Galning.

The Spanish language version of LEGO Racers names this character Barón von Tyssen.

Starting in the Dino Island subtheme, the character was first called Sam Sinister in North America's LEGO Mania Magazine September/October 2000; confusingly, this issue refers to him as "Sam Sinister (aka Baron von Barron)" despite each name belonging to a separate character in the Egypt line. He would continue to be called Sam Sinister in online media such as The Lost Treasure of Ancient Greece and the LEGO Adventurers Minifigure Handbook. Adding to the confusion, this name is sometimes alternatively spelled Sam Sanister, such as on the box art of 5914 Sam Sanister and Baby T (although Shop At Home calls the same set "5914 Sam Sinister and Baby T") and LEGO Racers 2. World Club Magazine Number 2 2000 calls him Sam Sanister, while Number 3 2000 calls him Sam Sinister.

According to a user on Lugnet, the character was known as Alex Gluipstra in the Netherlands during the Dino Island theme.^[source?]

The Orient Expedition subtheme would firmly establish Lord Sam Sinister as the character's name, using this name for all printed and online media in multiple languages. This name would continue to be used throughout the 2000s, including LEGOLAND Parks Land of Adventure attractions such as The Lost Kingdom Adventure and Journey to the Lost Temple.

According to a fan website, the character was sometimes known as Ulrich Unhold during the Orient Expedition theme.^[source?]

As previously mentioned, the books Standing Small and LEGO Minifigure Ultimate Sticker Collection revert the character's name back to Baron Von Barron for the first time since 2000. However, these books contain multiple errors, such as referring to Slyboots as "Lord Sam Sinister" and "Mr. Hates".

In 2020, the 10273 Haunted House press release and online description refer to this character as Samuel Von Barron, combining his two most well-known names "Baron von Barron" and "Lord Sam Sinister". The designer video only refers to him as Baron von Barron.

Background

Egypt

In the Egypt subtheme, Baron von Barron and Slyboots are the two main villains plotting to steal the Re-Gou Ruby.

In Johnny Thunder and the Lost Ruby, Baron von Barron successfully takes the Re-Gou. However, he becomes trapped in the Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins with Pharaoh Hotep, who tortures him by telling endless bad "mummy" puns and jokes.

LEGO Racers

LEGO Racers - Baron Von Barrons Opening

Sinister's cutscene in LEGO Racers

In LEGO Racers, Baron von Barron is the boss of the 5th circuit. His preferred tactic is using powered-up blue bricks to shield himself. This is one of the few places he is shown to have a German accent. Much like Captain Redbeard, his in-game model does not have epaulets.

In LEGO Racers 2, Sam Sanister was the boss of the Dino Island world, driving his super-fast Island Racer. He had to be defeated in a race in order to acquire a very powerful power-up for the player's car engine. His epaulets and hook are missing from his model, leading him to be depicted with two normal hands.

Dino Island

After being absent from the Amazon subtheme, Sam Sinister returns as the villain of the Dino Island subtheme. This time, he is teamed up with his sister Alexia Sinister and his henchman Mr. Cunningham. Their goal is to capture dinosaurs and profit off of them by opening a dino theme park.

LEGO Island

In LEGO Island 2: The Brickster's Revenge, Mr. Hates captured Dinosaurs. The player had to save them by flying a hot air balloon, winching them out of cages, and then had to drop sandbags on Mr. Hates so that he would fall off his brontosaurus, which shoots fire to stop you. He spoke in an English accent, and was assumed to be working for The Brickster.

Soccer Mania

He makes cameo in a cutscene in 5784 Soccer Mania. However, he is not a playable character or even a member of the Adventurers Villains team.

Minifig Handbook

Sam Sinister appears in the LEGO Adventurers Minifig Handbook, which is based on Johnny Thunder's Journal. The journal describes Johnny Thunder's adventures to Brazil, Mt. McKinley, and Colorado River, with Sinister constantly sabotaging their journey and stealing their treasures. In the end, the Adventurers take back the stolen treasures while Sinister is asleep.

The Lost Treasure

Sam Sinister appears as the main villain of this Flash online game on the LEGO Adventurers website. He is given a unique design, resembling his classic appearance but with a black top hat and a red hook.

Sam Sinister follows the Adventurers to Greece, where he plans to steal the Golden Bull of King Minos. He steals the map to the Minotaur's labyrinth and acts as an enemy during the maze minigame. He uses a jetpack to scale a large cliff, only to crash once the jetpack malfunctions, allowing Johnny to tie him up.

Orient Expedition

The newly-redesigned Lord Sam Sinister is the main villain of the Orient Expedition subtheme. He pursues the Adventurers across Asia, allying with other villains such as Maharaja Lallu, Ngan Pa, and Emperor Chang Wu in his plot to steal the golden treasures of Marco Polo.

LEGOLAND Parks

In The Lost Kingdom Adventure ride in LEGOLAND California, Lord Sam Sinister appears to be the main villain.

Lord Sam Sinister also appeared in a prominent role of the live musical show, Journey to the Lost Temple.

Creator

10273 Haunted House is named the Manor Von Barron and is portrayed as the residence of this character. Samuel Von Barron is prominently featured in the set's marketing and lore. While he does not make a physical appearance as a minifigure, he is depicted in the cursed portrait of Samuel von Barron. According to the set's lore, Samuel von Barron was driven mad by Pharaoh Hotep's bad puns (referencing the ending of Johnny Thunder and the Lost Ruby), leading him to install the Madman's Elevator in his manor.

Notes

• In Die Jagd nach dem Pharaonenschatz, Mr. Hates is voiced by Klaus-Peter Kähler. In Journey to the Lost Temple, Lord Sam Sinister was portrayed by multiple actors, including Marty Martin, Drew Larson, and Jaysen Waller.
• In LEGO Island 2, Mr. Hates was originally planned to make a comeback along with Cedric The Bull; he would have appeared during the Asteroids Belt game in an enemy ship shooting lasers, and in Brickster's Palace as an obstacle or possibly a boss while the player is ascending up the tower. Due to the game being severely rushed, this was scrapped; however, unused voice clips for him meant for these areas can still be found in the game's files

LEGO Description

This is a description taken from LEGO Mania Magazine January/February 1998. Please do not modify it.

BARON VON BARRON The Baron collects rare treasures from around the world and keeps them for himself. Even though it looks like the Baron is a real bad, bad guy, he really takes orders from the sinister Sam Sinister.

This is a description taken from Bricks 'n' Pieces March/April 1998. Please do not modify it.

Evil Eye A real 'baddie', Evil Eye searches the world for buried treasure to add to his collection. He's very, very bad and very, very rich.

This is a description taken from LEGO Mania Magazine November/December 1998. Please do not modify it.

Bad Guys Sam Sinister and Baron von Baron Even the treasure-stealing Sam Sinister and Baron von Barron exchange holiday gifts. They just don't wrap them. It's too hard to wrap a snake or scorpion.

This is a description taken from LEGO Adventures! Magazine Issue 6. Please do not modify it.

Mr[sic] Hates and Slyboots Sneaky bad guys out to steal the Adventurers' discoveries!

This is a description taken from LEGO Mania Magazine September/October 2000. Please do not modify it.

Sam Sinister (aka Baron von Barron) Sam's hobby is stealing rare treasures for his own collection. The only person that has ever stopped him is Johnny Thunder. Sam says that if Johnny gets in his way he will use him as bait in a T-Rex trap.

This is a description taken from LEGO.com. Please do not modify it. (See an archive of the product’s page)

Lord Sam Sinister Lord Sinister is Johnny's arch enemy. He is selfish and evil, with no limits to his ambition or greed. He has a huge private collection of ancient and valuable treasures from around the world and is always on the hunt for more.

This is a description taken from LEGO Magazine March-April 2003. Please do not modify it.

LORD SAM SINISTER Clever and greedy, he will do anything to get his hands on ancient treasures!

This is a description taken from LEGO.com. Please do not modify it. (see the source of this quote)

Samuel von Barron Manor von Barron was once the home of Samuel von Barron, one of the world's greatest villains. He travelled the globe in search of ancient artefacts to steal for his private collection. But, after snatching the Re-Gou Ruby from the tomb of Pharaoh Hotep, Von Barron met his fate - and the Pharaoh cursed Manor von Barron for a thousand generations! Though Samuel may be gone, the von Barron curse still haunts the house to this very day.

Appearances

• 2879 Desert Expedition
• 3722 Treasure Tomb (Original)
• 5909 Treasure Raiders (Original)
• 5914 Sam Sinister and Baby T (Original)
• 5919 Treasure Tomb (Original)
• 5948 Desert Expedition (Original)
• 5955 All Terrain Trapper (Original)
• 5975 T-Rex Transport (Original)
• 5978 Sphinx Secret Surprise (Original)
• 5988 Pharaoh's Forbidden Ruins (Original)
• 2541 Adventures Car (Original Without Eggplates)
• 5928 Bi-Wing Baron (Original With Brown Pilot Helmet)
• 5920 Island Racer (Original With Grey Pilot Helmet)
• 3381 Lord Sam Sinister (Orient Expedition Variation)
• 7409 Secret of the Tomb (Orient Expedition Variation)
• 7414 Elephant Caravan (Orient Expedition Variation)
• 7416 Emperor's Ship (Orient Expedition Variation)
• 7418 Scorpion Palace (Orient Expedition Variation)
• 7419 Dragon Fortress (Orient Expedition Variation)
• 7424 Black Cruiser (Orient Expedition Variation)
• 7417 Temple of Mount Everest (Orient Expedition Variation With Black Pilot Helmet)

Video Game Appearances

• LEGO Racers (Game)
• LEGO Racers 2
• LEGO Island 2
• 5784 Soccer Mania (cameo in a cutscene only)

Variations

Sam Sinister	No Epaulettes	Bi-Wing Baron Pilot	Island Racer Driver	Lord Sam Sinister	Lord Sam Sinister as a Pilot

Gallery

The computer-generation of Sam Sinister

Bio in the January–February 1998 LEGO Mania Magazine

LEGO.com artwork/bio

Baron Von Barron in LEGO Racers

Sam Sanister in LEGO Racers 2. Note the missing hook hand

Sam Sinister in the GBA version of LEGO Racers 2

Baron/Sam's cutscene cameo in Soccer Mania