Figure of the Day: Day 351: Clone Commander

CLONE COMMANDER ARC Trooper
Revenge of the Sith Evolutions
Item No.: Asst. 85553 No. 87050
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 pistols, rifle, belt, waistcoat, helmet, pauldron
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: Fall 2005
Appearances: n/a

Bio: The evolution of the galaxy's most powerful army is captured in these figures! The clone troopers fight for the Republic, to try and save the galaxy from chaos. But secret plans change their loyalties, and they help the evil forces of the Sith to take control! No longer known as clone troopers, they are now stormtroopers, the loyal soldiers of the Emperor, enforcing his harsh will throughout the galaxy! (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: When Hasbro introduced this figure (and explained it to me), they said that this Clone Commander was decorated in a style meant to be a ROTS-style ARC Trooper. Since it isn't in the movies, OK, sure, I'll buy that. The end result is a very good figure, and one that's quite customizable. The pauldron is removable and you can swap the waistcoat for the belt, creating a grey "Coruscant" Clone Trooper-- so you're going to want to get two or more of these guys so you can have them in both configurations. The articulation is great, the helmet is removable, and well, there's very little to complain about. OK, the helmet is a smidge big. But hey, that's not enough to gripe about-- the end product is lots of fun and lets collectors re-create the figure, and these are both very good things. Kudos, Hasbro.

Collector's Notes: Fans love this figure. So much, in fact, that it's getting reissued in Wave 3 of Saga Legends this year, on an individual package, for $7-- although it's not yet known if it will include the spare belt and other extras, or if the guns will be in gunmetal grey (like the Evolutions release) or black (like all the rest). Fans voted on this one, proving that while we are a clone-crazy fan base, at least we have good taste in troopers. (For the record, he'll be 1 per case in at least 3 assortments-- and likely many more.)

Day 351: April 22, 2007