Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,645

CAPTAIN REX includes Propoulsion Pack
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 30513
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW62
Includes: Stand, big pistol, two smaller pistols, pauldron, helmet, large propulsion pack, small rocket pack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $8.99
Availability: August 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: CAPTAIN REX takes the battle to new heights. When the clone captain needs to reach high elevations, he boosts his rocket pack with a space combat propulsion pack. With this additional gear, Rex can take on battle droids even in space, increasing his chances of stopping even more of the droid army. (Taken from the Hasbro.com.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' stove.

Commentary: This Captain Rex is the first significant redesign since the 2008 release. Making use of various newly-sculpted parts, this figure doesn't have jointed ankles and only has swivel wrists, but he does have those ball-jointed hips the kids rave over these days. With what seems to be a new head sculpt, the figure has a cloth kama (skirt, whatever) and is generally pretty great. The hips look a little odd-- a lot ore black is showing in the crotchial area than usual-- but he can assume a number of poses the previous figure could not, and is clearly more suited to sitting in a vehicle than his previous releases. So the figure is, obviously, pretty good.

The backpack accessory is peculiar in that it looks like they stuck a normal Clone backpack inside a giant one-- and that's exactly what they did. The small pack is removable, if you want to go for a more subtle accessory, and the giant pack is there for all your crazy adventure needs. The guns move, and that's about all it does-- no firing rockets or spring-loaded wings, it just looks cool and has moveable cannons. As a toy I find this a little disappointing, but it does sport a third holster for the largest gun and it still looks pretty neat. Getting the harness around the figure proved difficult for my meaty hands, so you may need to spend some time getting the tabs and slots in order. It ain't easy.

If you need a Rex who can sit down, get this figure. If you want big neat accessories, get this figure. If you have six slightly different Rex figures and don't know why Hasbro would ever release another, skip this one.

Collector's Notes: A new figure shipping in at least two waves. Knowing how Hasbro likes to sell lots of Rex figures, he'll probably be around for a few months if not at least a year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,645: October 4, 2011