Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,205: Finn (Starkiller Base - The Force Awakens)

FINN Starkiller Base
The Force Awakens   Armor Up Figures
Item No.:
Asst. B3886 No. B3887
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, armor
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: A trained warrior desperate to escape his past, Finn is plunged into adventure as his conscience drives him down a heroic, but dangerous, path. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  The Armor Up Finn has something new to offer.   Granted, it's not totally new - but nothing in here is a straight-up repack of items released on the launch day.  The armor is exclusive to this release.  The blaster has exclusive deco - and so does the figure.  Granted we really don't know much about the character yet, but it's very safe to assume he's an ex-Stormtrooper and he goes to a snow planet, if this deco is any indication.   His clothing is covered in snow - or at least, his pants are.  Maybe it's chalk dust from leaving the Academy in a hurry.    The figure - otherwise identical to the individually carded release - has added snow on his shoulders and sleeves as well but interestingly, the armor and head are devoid of snow.    Given that this figure is not a troop builder, I'm really happy Hasbro made sure to distinguish the figure itself beyond merely having different accessories - I hope they continue to do this.




His blaster is grimy and looks like someone rubbed dirty, disgusting week-old street snow all over it.   It's big and looks significantly cooler than the regular release, so if you've got the money this one may be worthwhile just for the unique deco.  The armor is no slouch either, although "armor" is a term I'd use loosely.  Basically they gave Finn a Han Solo-style blue snow jacket hood with face mask, and slapped it on white/blue/orange body armor that looks like it might fit in pretty much any modern Hasbro toy line.   It clamps over the figure quite nicely, mixing harder and softer plastics to fit over his head as his eyes can see right through the visor.  It's actually nicely engineered.  I assume it won't be in the movie, but it does resemble some of the recent Nerf N-Strike Elite toys and I get a big kick out of that.   If not in style, the colors definitely match Nerf's top-selling foam dart blaster line and that alone makes this an amusing purchase as a toy fan.   It works.  I won't say it's great or worth the $13, but it's certainly different enough to be notable.  I hope the price comes down, but given how well this and other figures are selling that's unlikely.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,205: September 30, 2015

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,204: X-Wing Pilot Atsy (The Force Awakens)

X-WING PILOT ATSY Born to Ill
The Force Awakens   Snow and Desert Figures
Item No.:
Asst. B3963 No. B4167
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Combine! backpack/wings
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: Ello Atsy is a skilled if occasionally reckless X-Wing Starfighter pilot for the Resistance.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  When I first saw X-Wing Pilot Atsy I thought we were looking at our first head swap. It looks like Poe Dameron, but it turns out it isn't the same body at all.   They seem cut from the same cloth - quite literally - but all the straps, pouches, hoses, and other bits hang on each body differently.  Both are orange pilots with opaque visors and Resistance (Rebel?) symbols, plus they actually match.  This may not sound like high praise, but Hasbro hasn't found an orange it likes for Rebel Pilots so seeing two consecutive Resistance flyers feels like a good sign.  I'm sure it doesn't hurt they were manufactured at about the same time, either.  They both share similar articulation with 5 joints each, plus a working holster.  The blaster fits perfectly.

I've tested him in a few vehicles - after all, the best sculpting and deco don't mean jack if your pilot can't fit in a vehicle.  I don't have my X-Wing from the new movie yet, but I struggled to get him in a Snowspeeder while he was just fine in a Y-Wing.  So maybe he's good, maybe he's not.   He has great helmet markings featuring a Rebel sumbol, a black and yellow graphic, and some writing I don't recognize in addition to little buttons and switches on his chest console.  Most of the straps are decorated, meaning you have something that's pretty good as a figure if not as a working toy pilot.  The sculpting is just fine, mostly because there's nowhere to go wrong here.  Once you get in the flight suit and cover most of the face, it would take some serious doing to make a figure that, in and of its own merits, looks bad.  We won't know if it's off-model for a while still.

The "Combine!" accessory is the ski feet of the build-a-droid, but also a winged backpack.   "Let's pretend" is a common part of toy play with kids - who among us didn't turn R2-D2 or R5-D4 into a makeshift cannon? - but as adult collectors it's hard to deny we're looking at robot feet on his back.  It's whimsical, I suppose.  If kids had any chance of finding these figures right now it may even be a sharp idea.   As it is, though, I just grab them and assemble my robot and call it a day.

What's driving me nuts, though, is the packaging.  His helmet has aurebesh, and it says "Born to Ill."  Why? I don't know.  I'm seeing reference to a street artist named D*Face, so maybe it has something to do with that.  Otherwise, I don't get it.   As a new species and a new character, it's interesting.  WIth a helmet covering his head, it's a little less interesting.  I'm all for diversity, but a removable helmet would be nice just to see who this guy is.   I won't say this figure makes me feel awesome, but I'll take an alien pilot when I can.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,204: September 29, 2015

Monday, September 28, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,203: R2-Q2 (Droid Factory - The Force Awakens)

R2-Q2 from the new film Star Wars The Force Awakens
Star Wars   Droid Factory
Item No.:
???
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 4 total droids
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $29.99
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: All different types of Astromech droids populate the Star Wars galaxy.  Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors.  These four new Astromech figures are featured in the new film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  At first glance I was shrugging and saying "What, another R2-Q2?   This is ridiculous."   Here's the thing - it's different.  Not just a little different, but different in several visible ways.   This makes the third version of the droid in plastic as a 3 3/4-inch scale action figure,  and as this one doesn't look like either the Tantive IV or Biggs versions of the existing R2-Q2 I'm going to go with the box' indication that it is, in fact, from movie #7.

The dome is the most different part, but some elements carry throughout the droid.  For example, the plastic of the dome is the darkest grey of any R2-Q2 so far making it immediately stand out from his siblings.  Instead of the reverse Oreo ring on the dome, it's just a black ring with a white ring underneath.  The dome itself dropped the silver ring on the panels in favor of grey panels with white outlines.  The central black eye no longer has a black square around it.  The various lights are painted differently - the blue light is now white, while the red boxes now are outlined to give them a fuller appearance.   On the back of the dome,  you'll find a blue dot and a black rectangle where blank plastic previously reigned supreme.   Why they even bothered to keep the name with so many changes is beyond me.   As far as I'm concerned, it's a new droid.

His central leg is not only darker, but painted - the Entertainment Earth and Disney Droid Factory build-a-figure releases were unpainted.  This one has a stripe down the front of the back, plus a white semicircle on either side.  The legs have fundamentally the same paint masks, although mine drops a few markings on the back (one of which may just be an error on my sample) and inverts the Droid Factory build-a-figure version's feet.  That version had painted silver feet with an unpainted semicircle, while mine has a painted semicircle on one foot and the other is blank.  This, again, may be an error.  I don't know if it's intentional yet.

His torso is, again, pretty different - but only on the back.  The front of the figure is very similar to previous releases, with minor changes in spots like a silver detail becoming white.  The back is very different - the painted panels aren't the same, and the coloring is very different.  I'd write it up, but just look at he pictures - more white and silver has been added, while most of the black is gone.  Assuming this is true to the movie, I appreciate the attention to detail.

The foot issues and new colors make me think I may have a unique droid and I like it - or perhaps a factory reject.  It's hard to tell until more people get theirs and post them, but until then I'll just say I like this figure and the set is indeed notably different enough to be worth your while.   If you can, squint at the feet in the box first just in case they're missing paint - because better safe than sorry.

Collector's Notes: Thanks for your help getting this one, Michael!   It's great - and you can get it at a theme park or from someone who is willing to help you out.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,203: September 28, 2015

Friday, September 25, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,202: First Order Stormtrooper (Snow Version 2 - The Force Awakens)

FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPER Basic Figure, Double-Barrel Gun Version
The Force Awakens   Snow and Desert Figures
Item No.:
Asst. B3963 No. B4172
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Combine! blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: Equipped with sleek armor and powerful weapons, the stormtroopers enforce the will of the First Order. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  The term "just different enough to make you mad" qualifies with a few figures in this line, and the First Order Stormtrooper fits the bill.   The figure itself is virtually identical to the other carded version but mine - and this might be a one-off - has a super loose head. You can spin it around like in a cartoon - it could just be a fluke on my sample, but I haven't exactly opened a bunch of these yet.   The deco and plastic is, otherwise, pretty much the same.  The head isn't loose to the point of falling off, but the spinning action is certainly notable.

The "Combine!" accessory is what makes this one distinctive.  It is made of several moving parts - the grips move, the blue yoke spins, and the kickstand moves too.  Basically, it's a little bipod gun for your troops - it's nice.  The other trooper has a gun that's huge and lovely, so either one is arguably just as worthwhile to buy.   It's definitely an argument to army-build, which right now you're likely going to do by default.   Two basic Stormtroopers, an Armor Up, and a few in an Amazon set will net you at least 6 so far.  6 was always my target number for troopers - that fills out a vintage Imperial Troop Transporter, and more than that without a big playset or giant vehicle seems pretty pointless.  But I digress - the little weapon is white and blue with some red and grey accents.  It's small, and roughly at the same height as his junk.  So that's funny.



The combined mode is a little attack droid - it's great!  It's goofy, but I love it. Ski feet, knife arms, and two red eyes on little stalks gives you a robot that looks stretched out.   It doesn't look explicitly Star Wars-y due to to its coloring, but it doesn't feel totally mismatched from the universe either.    There's a hip joint, and you can rotate the knife arms.  Other than that, he just stands there and looks neat.   Maybe he'd be more at home in a Rebels shelf, but having seen so little of the new movie footage so far he could just as easily be trying to stab BB-8 at some billionaire's lodge in the Swiss Alps before a series of hot assassins come out to attack him.   But again, I digress.

I like this one - if you can find it, it's good enough to drop the cash.   Interaction with accessories is perfectly good, and because it's an army builder I'd suggest buying both this and the other version if you think you want more than one of him.   It's not bad.  It's not great either, but it's fun enough to be worthwhile and it makes me glad I got something different even though I'm effectively army building.  This is a good idea - as long as Hasbro makes enough so we can find them, I'd like to see more same trooper/new gear set-ups like this.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,202: September 25, 2015

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,201: Kanan Jarrus (The Force Awakens)

KANAN JARRUS Jedi Rerelease
The Force Awakens   Snow and Desert Figures
Item No.:
Asst. B3963 No. B4183
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, Portal gun
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: Star Wars Rebels

Bio: A Jedi Padawan who survived the destruction of the Jedi Order, Kanan kept his past a secret until he joined a group of Rebels dedicated to resisting the Empire. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Packed in most waves of Rebels figures, this same Kanan Jarrus action figure is likely something you already own.   If you're a completist, it's unavoidable that you might have several - there's a single-carded one, a Mission Series one with Cadet Ezra, a Target Exclusive version of the Phantom that came with this figure, and a Toys R Us figure set with Ezra, Holographic Obi-Wan Kenobi, and - you guessed it - Kanan.  Kanan was also packed 2 per box in multiple assortments, whereas Chopper and others quickly vanished and are no longer cheap.   If you're attempting to collect all the figures and accessories, by now, you'll probably have at least 3 Kanan figures - 4 if you count the one with the remolded head from the new Y-Wing Scout Bomber.   If you want to know how this figure looks, here's the review from before - it's the same basic thing.  5 joints, good paint, stands and sits, works well as a figure pilot.  If you don't have this figure, it's one you should get - but only go after this specific version if you're an accessory completist.

The figure's  "Combine!" accessory is a blaster that looks more than a little bit like the guns from Portal.  It has two black handles that don't rotate, but you can pluck them off as they clip on with square pegs.  Due to the shape of Kanan's wrists and hands, he has trouble aiming the gun straight ahead - he needs to basically hold it above his head to shoot it.  It's silly.   If a figure had more articulation it may better be able to use this accessory, but as it is it's kind of awkward and weird.   I don't think this figure benefits from this accessory - he can carry it, but he can't really use it.

If you don't yet have a Kanan this is as good as any.  I'd push you to the Y-Wing Scout Bomber version so you can get that vehicle - that alone is worth it.  This one is OK if you want/need the gun.  Otherwise?  Save some money.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,201: September 24, 2015

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,200: Flametrooper (The Force Awakens)

FLAMETROOPER First Order
The Force Awakens   Snow and Desert Figures
Item No.:
Asst. B3963 No. B3969
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Backpack, removable flamethrower, shield thing
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: Specialized Stormtroopers of the First Order, Flametroopers carry mercenary weapons that can transform any battlefield into an infernal blaze. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Supposedly the implements of a grand murder, the Flametrooper is a decent figure.  I won't say it's great, and I will say completists are destined to own at least three of them. There's this one, an "Armor Up" version, and a version in Amazon's First Order Legion action figure set.  As of now this one's only distinctive feature is a Combine Weapon shield which becomes a sort of a robot crab head and body.  If you don't like that piece, get any version - the figure is fundamentally the same.

This one immediately reminds me of Scorch and the Republic Commando figures - the broader base on the helmet, the eye strip, and even the body armor seem to take a cue from the game series designs.  It's just a lot blander.   Mostly white, the figure can hold the torch end of things with one hand while the other end plugs in to the removable backpack.   Hand #2 can hold a desert shield accessory.   The figure is all white plastic with some black markings, making it fairly simple.  The plastic is glossy and white with copyright and manufacturing markings nicely disguised.  Rather than branding in a date stamp or SKU, a subtle, small silver marking on the back of the left leg under the fanny seems to work out nicely.  Other markings are on the sole of the boot.  There aren't a lot of special markings here, meaning the regular Stormtrooper has a lot more going on than this simpler Flametrooper.  Without the "OII" on the back and other distinctive markings, I would assume Hasbro could have snuck this in to The Clone Wars as a new kind of clone and nobody would raise an eyebrow.

The "Combine!" accessory is a nifty shield he can hold in his hand - it's goofy, but nice.   The brown thing has silver and grey on it, plus it becomes the "shell" of a combined crab robot using axe hands and a tank for legs.   The arms move and the neck articulates, so it's a pretty solid little toy.  It's also silly, but I can live with it.


It's good.  I assume you'll buy one or more of it if you aren't sick of Clone Troopers by now.   It does feel a little more, uh, early 2000s than the rest of the class and it's not at all bad.   Having two fully-jointed arms would be nice to better aim the torch.  I'd also like better leg articulation because he's a little wobbbly, but that's life.  The torch plugs in the backpack nicely, the backpack plugs in the back, and the whole thing basically works - but balance is a bit tricky.   It's not quite as stable as the rest, but a little fidgeting and he's going to stay upright on your desk.   Get one of them - you've got options - because it's pretty good.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,200: September 23, 2015

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,199: R4-M9 (Star Tours - The Force Awakens)

R4-M9 from the new film Star Wars The Force Awakens
Star Wars   Droid Factory
Item No.:
???
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 4 total droids
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $29.99
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: Star Wars and The Force Awakens

Bio: All different types of Astromech droids populate the Star Wars galaxy.  Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors.  These four new Astromech figures are featured in the new film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  This is the third figure to bear the name R4-M9.  The first one had nearly identical deco on a different mold back in 2002, it was slightly greener and also had a silver box around his central eye.  The silver box does not seem to be present in most photography of the movie droid from the original Star Wars, which raises another question - why does the box boast it's from The Force Awakens when it's identical to the Star Wars droid?  Is he in both?  Is the box wrong?  For the time being I'm going to say both - we'll find out if I'm wrong, maybe, in December.  Or when we see the deleted scenes.


The mold is the same as the 2015 R4 Disney mold - you know the drill.  There's a hole in the head for a hat (not included) and you can pop apart the figure at the head, shoulders, and the central third leg pops out.   It seems to match the original Star Wars swimmingly, with the stripes thicker, seemingly more accurately colored, and angled better than the original.   It's always weird to be made to give a figure a second look after 13 years, but now we see Hasbro made a nice droid in 2002 but it wasn't quite perfect.  Just as interesting is the back of the new R4's dome - the stripe pattern is significantly different, with big grey stripes and little white boxes around the top.  The body deco is pretty much identical.   If you're looking to upgrade or flesh out a Tantive IV diorama, this is a good upgrade.


I have no idea if it's really in the new movie - I'm assuming it's not.  As it's a more authentic version of an existing movie toy, I'm all for it and you should probably give this one a thought or two as a "best ever figure" for the droid.  Sure, it's missing the foot wires, but that's Disney for you - and the 2002 one didn't have real wires there either.   Snag this one if you can - the set is worth the $30 and rumor has it the price might be going up soon.  With the unpainted eye it looks different from the previous version, which means you not only get a rockin' authenticity upgrade but you get another "new" droid for your dioramas if you need them.  It's different enough to make you happy.  How often does that happen?



Collector's Notes: Thanks for your help getting this one, Michael!   It's great - and you can get it at a theme park or from someone who is willing to help you out.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,199: September 22, 2015

Monday, September 21, 2015

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,198: First Order Stormtrooper (Armor Up - The Force Awakens)

FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPER Forest Armor
The Force Awakens   Armor Up Figures
Item No.:
Asst. B3886 No. B3892
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, armor
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99  
Availability: September 2015
Appearances: The Force Awakens

Bio: Equipped with sleek armor and powerful weapons, the stormtroopers enforce the will of the First Order. (Taken from the figure's packaging.  Yes, it's the same as the other Stormtrooper figures.  It's a great way to learn the language.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  The Armor Up First Order Stormtrooper makes total sense if you're Hasbro and is the work of a madman if you don't.  The figure is, at its heart, not bad - given the scarce resources on the new film, Hasbro had to make something and knowing the affinity for army builders to buy multiple figures, offering multiple configurations just makes sense.  At the same time, the assortment is also extremely alienating to some collectors - or it would be, were there any unsold product.   Complain if you wish, but the important thing to remember is how Hasbro views a line like this one.  If you're dealing with supply shortages and product sells out in a multimillion (or maybe billion) dollar launch within the first weekend for toys in a consumer orgy of epic proportions, then they can go back to their bosses and say "yes, fans do want $12.99 figures with fundamentally no improvement over the $7.99 version."    Keep that in mind as we see Rogue One and Episode VIII stuff over the next 18 months.

The Stormtrooper is good.  I can't argue with that.  The figure is really nice, and essentially the same thing as the $7.99 one except for the gun.  The blaster still plugs on his thigh, the figure is still jointed at the neck, shoulders, and hips.   If you're a "one of everything" collector, this sort of gimmick allows you to build an army without ever having to buy the same figure twice - from a certain point of view.  We also found out the $7.99 basic figure will also be repackaged, under a new SKU with a new UPC, if it hasn't already shown up in your neck of the woods.   It's an interesting gambit - how do you make multiple versions of a trooper when they are (as far as we know) all probably basically the same color once the Empire took over?  Well, new weapons, new armor.  The Hasbro designers are taking a page from Batman in 1990, when Kenner introduced the simultaneously garish and gorgeous The Dark Knight Collection with special suits and really fun gear.  (I was on the older edge of the target audience at that point - I bought many and loved them all.)


The paint on my sample was a little sloppier than the basic figure, but it's otherwise the same thing - same white plastic, same paint masks.  The figure quality is unchanged, but it's impossible for me to get beyond the price - it's not worth it.  It's better than paying some goober $25-$50 for the regular version on the secondary market, maybe, but perhaps waiting it out would also be wise.

The actual armor is pretty nifty and silly.  Much like buying a coat to keep over your coat, the armor to go over your armor seems... unusual.   The green gear clips over the figure easily, giving him a neck brace that really does little to let you move his head.  It's kind of funny - there's a series of rockets next to his head to encourage hearing loss, and a robo nipple as well as what appears to be a rank badge.   The whole ordeal looks like a next-generation mutation of Commander Cody's upgrades, which makes me smile.   The shoulder pads remind me of wings, but I have to assume this wasn't meant to be a rocket pack by virtue of the lack of any such thing on his back.  So, for all intents and purposes, the First Order's elite troopers are wearing decorative green neck braces with little lights on them.   It doesn't feel totally out of whack with what we've bought before, but it is a little... life preserver-ey.

My guess is a few years from now, this is the one that will be interesting to fans of the figure line.  There will be dozens of Stormtroopers that look like the movie, but precious few have alternate armor or special suits to enhance them.   This is, of course, finite - if Hasbro makes up dozens of new troopers, people will probably just as soon get sick of them.   (See also: Clone Troopers.)   I'd love to see what else Hasbro comes up with to augment figures, because coming up with a way of doing this while retaining the integrity of the core figure (and reusing the figure) is certainly a smart business move.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth.  

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,198: September 21, 2015