Figure of the Day: Day 819: 501st Legion Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER 501st Legion
The Clone Wars Wal-Mart Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87915
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Blaster Rifle, Firing Blaster, Card
Action Feature: Firing Rocket Launcher
Retail: $6.94
Availability: August 2008
Appearances: The Clone Wars (presumably)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo hole.

Bio: The clone trooper forces are gathering together for their next mission - and they want you to join them! With your very own Republic Army Identification Card, you can become a member of the most elite fighting force in the galaxy. Your destiny awaits - join today! (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: Hasbro must be absolutely bonkers for The Clone Wars. The line allows you to take one or two molds and repaint them into dozens of new characters, like this Clone Trooper 501st Legion figure. Based on a design from Attack of the Clones, animators at LucasFilm made some modifications and presto-- new figure. Unlike the basic carded clone on which this is based, the figure has no dirt and blue markings. Other than that, it's pretty much the same. You get extra weapons, of course, and all the great wrist articulation you need for piloting vehicles and aiming blasters. Still, this is essentially a glorified repaint, but when it comes to troopers this is a common and acceptable happening. What you see is pretty much what you get-- a super-articulated trooper, fun for all ages. Buy two, they're cheap.

Collector's Notes: Wal-Mart hasn't had many exclusive individually carded figures over the years. If memory serves, this makes six. It seems likely the figure would get rereleased in another capacity at a later time, but for now, it's this or bust. It's also worth noting that this figure's deco is pretty much the same as the blue-striped Clone Lieutenant from Attack of the Clones, minus the dots and the stripe on the forehead. At $7, it's a decent deal-- a full $5 less than Target's exclusive individually packaged figures. This same mold has been used to make the AT-TE clone, the basic clone, the Senate Security clone, and a number of clones that aren't out yet.


More images of this figure

--Adam Pawlus

Day 819: August 4, 2008