Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,974: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER ARMY Army of the Republic
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84987
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Non-removable rifle, binoculars, 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars

Bio:  Virtually indistinguishable from one another, Clone Troopers are identical in physical appearance, mental capability, and stamina. Part of a clone army, they are grown in the cloning facilities of Tipoca City, a luminescent city of industry emerging from the raging seas of Kamino. Although clone troopers share the same modified genetic code, their genetic structure has been altered to make them less independent than their genetic host, and their growth has been accelerated to twice the normal rate of a human. Grown and trained specifically for military combat, the Clone Army was mysteriously commissioned ten years earlier.   (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo dump.

Commentary: The Clone Trooper army men were a really nifty idea from 2003: 3 simple figures for ten bucks.  This will never, ever happen again.   This was also a rare instance where a whopping five variants shared a single SKU, so you really didn't know which version(s) you were getting if you bought a case or ordered by mail.  They all had the same SKU and UPC, so it was probably the most miserable time to try to complete a set.  I know there were certain variants, like this one, I never once saw at retail.  This particular clone is an all-white trooper with special binoculars, and was the most uncommon mold of the 5 sets.  (A yellow version also exists.)  It looks cool because it has a little bit more "action" sculpted into the figure, but it is posed awkwardly enough that you probably won't want to futz with it too much.  It's the perfect filler for your Republic Gunships, or for diorama fodder.   It was a really clever idea to infuse the then-starved Clone Trooper Market which suffered through only 3 Clone Trooper action figures in 2002.  3!  Can you imagine a movie year with only three Clone Troopers? That's crazy.

A display stand is advised for this one, and while it isn't the best-ever Clone Trooper it's certainly a nifty one and a noble experiment.  I would love to see these cheap, barely-poseable figures added as a bonus item if/when manufacturing costs allow, as they make great filler in vehicles so I can use my other figures for other needs.    They sold pretty well too if memory served, although it wasn't uncommon to see many of one flavor and none of others depending on the city in which you dwelled.

Collector's Notes: The figure isn't necessarily rare, but due to how people sell figures it can be tough to locate as simply finding the correct name on eBay or Amazon, plus the right photo with the listing, can prove tricky.  Ask questions before buying if you can't purchase it in person.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,974: January 7, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,907: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER ARMY Green, Kneeling
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84987
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars

Bio:  Virtually indistinguishable from one another, Clone Troopers are identical in physical appearance, mental capability, and stamina. Part of a clone army, they are grown in the cloning facilities of Tipoca City, a luminescent city of industry emerging from the raging seas of Kamino. Although clone troopers share the same modified genetic code, their genetic structure has been altered to make them less independent than their genetic host, and their growth has been accelerated to twice the normal rate of a human. Grown and trained specifically for military combat, the Clone Army was mysteriously commissioned ten years earlier.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Clone Trooper sergeant was a huge pain in the neck to find.  Because Hasbro is a cruel mistress, they released a deluxe 3-pack of posed soldier style Clone Troopers with limited decoration... and five variations sharing a single SKU.  Even if you ordered cases, and I did, you got pretty random figures which means you had to  be patient and/or resort to eBay.  I waited, never saw the green set, and had to go to eBay and thankfully prices "dropped" to about $10 by then.  Now they're cheaper.  So for all of you whippersnappers who say it's never been impossible to find figures on the pegs and everybody had it so much easier ten years ago, well, screw you.  There were always hard-to-get figures and I guarantee you I can name dozens of figures most fans saw 1 or 2 times tops, if that.   2003 had some real doozies, 2002 had a couple of iffy ones too.   2004-2006 were pretty great, though, I have to admit.

Anyway, this Clone Trooper has limited articulation, which is a diplomatic way of saying "this was an excellent small plastic statue."  I exaggerate, as the gun is molded to his hand and they do have limited arm, neck, and waist movement, but for ann practical purposes the picture is what you get.  These figures are wonderful diorama filler, the kneeling ones stand nicely and are easy to set up.  The standing ones, not so much.  I like putting this sculpt on my gunships, it's nicely designed and the deco is, or rather was, pretty good.  For some reason Gentle Giant decided the "green" was really a brownish color while Hasbro stuck with a bright green, and only now did Hasbro announce a figure with the brownish stripe deco for release in 2013.  Fans were asking for the brownish color-- including me, directly and through intermediaries during certain product developments-- but Hasbro insisted the green was greener on the action figure side.  Wookieepedia has a brown stock image, so I'm guessing that means this figure is technically (due to factual reasons) painted incorrectly.  It's still cool-- I'd buy Clones in this template with other color paint ranks all day long.  Make me an orange one with orange dots, I'll buy it.

I think this is where I give you some sort of shopping advice.  I'd suggest holding off until 2013 and getting the brownish one in The Legacy Collection, as it looks closer to the renders I've seen from the movies.  Of course, if you're like me and love wildly colored figures that may be incorrect, you've got no reason to skip this one-- it has the historical significance of being Hasbro's very first Clone Trooper sergeant action figure.  The next chronological green release, which I nagged a lot of people about during a sort of consulting period in 2004 before I got hired there, would be in the 2005 Entertainment Earth exclusive Clone Packs.   And after that... 2006?  If you like green you'll like this figure.  Great for St. Patty's Day.

Collector's Notes:  There are 5 versions of this set available.  One has 3 white troopers.  Another has 1 green figure.  Another has 1 blue figure.  Another has 1 yellow figure.  And another has 1 red figure.  I never saw yellow or green in the wild, and the yellow and green packs mix up the sculpts by replacing one with a new standing figure with binoculars.   If you're a loose collector, skip the all-white set as those figures repeat in the "color" sets.  Hasbro press photography showed a 3-pack with 3 colored troopers in it, this was never released which is why you won't find one for sale.   I found yellow and green to be the rare ones, but history neutered the secondary market of numerous "rare" Clone Trooper toys.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,907: October 4, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,885: Destroyer Droid

DESTROYER DROID Droid Army
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84992
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Packaged with red Battle Droid, Super  Battle Droid figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars, Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Battle Droids are produced in massive foundries on Geonosis. Despite a treaty forbidding the expansion of those armies, Geonosian foundries are currently running at maximum capacity, with thousands more battle droids secretly massing on Geonosis. Destroyer Droids, also known as droidekas, are engineered specifically as mobile machines of destruction, capable of eliminating practically any opposition. They roll into battle in the shape of a wheel, then unfold to full-standing combat stance for assault. Super Battle Droids operate independently rather than in groups, making them stronger, more efficient models of technological weaponry.  (Taken from the set's cardback.)

Image: Adam's photo dump.

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,862: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID  with STAP
The Clone Wars Tpys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 18609 No.  18608  
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 rockets, STAP, clear plastic stand, backpack
Action Feature: STAP fires rockets
Retail: $17.99
Availability: Fall 2009ish
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Force be with you!  (Taken from the figure's packaging.  No specific character information.)

Image: Adam's photo area.

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,716: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER with Speeder Bike
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84846
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster pistol, grenade, helmet, armor, bike
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: The Clone Troopers use speeder bikes for reconnaissance and fast-strike attacks during the Clone Wars battles. Small and swift, the speeder bikes provide the Clone Troopers with an excellent means of gaining information on the Separatist forces by approaching close to the opposing armies and retreating quickly with valuable intelligence. Their streamlined design and highly reactive maneuverability allows Clone Troopers to coordinate surprise attacks on small units away from the main Separatist armies. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's old desk.

Commentary: A repaint and remold of the 2002 figure, this Clone Trooper also includes a speeder bike except this one is painted differently and had some modifications made to it. The bike has a rocket launcher and a retooled pack on the back, while the figure has been repainted to have dirt on his boots.

The figure is a neat one, showing lots of promise-- but the execution could be better. The figure is sculpted with a black bodysuit, snap-on armor fits on his body and limbs to complete the look. The articulation is a little awkward, but it's largely good for posing the figure on the bike. As a toy, it's not very good-- keeping him on the bike with his armor attached is quite tricky, a simpler design may have made for a better toy. Newer figures may be able to fit on the bikes better, and the bike itself is a little soft in spots which makes it hard to display in the long term. You'll need to be careful with this one.

Collector's Notes: It's not even worth retail any more, and the main reason to get this-- or its 2002 predecessor-- is to store it inside one of your Republic Gunships.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,716: January 11, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,389: Clone Trooper (crawling)

CLONE TROOPER ARMY White, Belly-Down
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84987
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars

Bio: Virtually indistinguishable from one another, Clone Troopers are identical in physical appearance, mental capability, and stamina. Part of a clone army, they are grown in the cloning facilities of Tipoca City, a luminescent city of industry emerging from the raging seas of Kamino. Although clone troopers share the same modified genetic code, their genetic structure has been altered to make them less independent than their genetic host, and their growth has been accelerated to twice the normal rate of a human. Grown and trained specifically for military combat, the Clone Army was mysteriously commissioned ten years earlier. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's desk.

Commentary: Back in 2003 Hasbro started to get what Clone Trooper action figures should do for them-- act as a cheap cash cow. One mold could be painted many times over, and this particular figure was a shining example of that. The same SKU had multiple configurations, many of which contained this specific figure. The trooper is down on his belly, not quite sniping, not quite crawling, but clearly ready for some sort of muddy combat. Considering that, at the time, Hasbro hadn't released a lot of troopers in 2003 this was a fast seller because people wanted Clone Troopers. Good, bad, it didn't matter that this one couldn't stand or sit-- it was a figure, dammit, and that meant something. With very limited articulation, really the only meaningful thing he can do is move his head around. While a little more exciting at the time, in part because it recalled the MicroCollection and MicroMachines lines, today it's pretty iffy. If you build dioramas, it may have some value, but otherwise there isn't much you can do with it. You can't set it up for other figures to knock over, it just lays there, motionless, wishing to be played with but most likely becoming part of the scenery. I would say that this is another reason why "dead" figures aren't appealing-- it's just not exactly a fun toy. The sculpt is good, and the deco shortcuts-- all the grey has been removed-- are interesting to note, plus the set had 3 figures for $10. You got a lot for your money, sure, but you might have some difficulty finding something for this particular figure to do. It was a clever idea, but "posed soldier play" has never been a big part of what made Star Wars successful.

Today this set is mostly a curiosity. The super-articulated bodies have all but eliminated the need for this kind of cheaper figure, so odds are this relic has now seen the end of its run. Similar figures were released for the final prequel in 2005 before seeing what seems to be permanent retirement in 2006.

Collector's Notes: This mold was repainted in red, as every figure in this set had one alternate deco available. Individually, packs with this figure go as high as $15-$20. This is also what a lot sells for. Happy shopping!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,389: October 11, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,141: Obi-Wan Kenobi (General)

OBI-WAN KENOBI General of the Republic Army
Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84826
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0345
Includes: Harness, lightsaber
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: October 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars

Image: Adam's back yard.

Bio: As a general in the Republic Army, Obi-Wan Kenobi leads Clone Army warriors and ARC Troopers in ground battles throughout the galaxy. Coming up against the formidable Droid Army, Obi-Wan achieves hard-won victories against enemy forces. On the planet Muunilinst, home of the Intergalactic Banking Clan, he struggles to destroy the Hailfire Droid factories that are supplying the Separatist forces with their military forces. Armed with his lightsaber, survival gear, an array of new weapons and his innate resourcefulness, Obi-Wan attempts to strike a decisive blow against the enemy army. He also encounters a new enemy during the Clone Wars with the appearance of Durge, a bounty hunter
on a personal mission to destroy the clones because of their Mandalorian heritage. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: Hasbro's direction in 2003 with Clone Wars was pretty open-ended. Some of the figures were based on existing designs, while others were Hasbro making new versions and telling their own stories outside the comics, novels, animation, and games. Obi-Wan Kenobi took a modified version of the character as seen in Attack of the Clones and added some pockets to his shirt, some added dirt, and slightly more sturdy looking boots. A removable harness was added, as was a backpack which gave the figure a slightly more commando-ish look to it. After all, you need survival gear on the front, right?

The figure itself is about par for the course for its era. You get the basic six points of articulation we've all been used to for so long, plus some swivel elbows were added for good measure. The design seems fairly good for action-oriented stuff, but like most of the Kenner and Hasbro team's original designs these were phased out of future Clone Wars-inspired stories and collectibles. Which is a shame because I thought the pockets were pretty cool. Today, the figure shows many signs of age such as overly pale facial hair and pin-headdedness, so one could say that it didn't age especially well. (The same can be said of most Obi-Wan figures from 2002-2004.) As a toy, though, it's pretty neat because Hasbro did get a limited opportunity to create something new, and while I do wish they were allowed to go a little crazier with the design it does fit with the look and feel of the movies.

Collector's Notes: A nearly identical rerelease of this figure was sold around 2007 in the Battle of Geonosis Battle Pack. As the set has no new characters and changes on the others are very slight, either release should be suitable for any loose collector's needs. The mold was reused to make an Order 66 Obi-Wan Kenobi figure for Target in 2008.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,141: October 28, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 894: Durge

DURGE with Swoop Bike
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84844
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster pistols, rifle, lance, bike
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: A century before the Clone Wars, this 2,000 year old bounty hunter went into hibernation to recuperate after being tortured by Mandalorians. Awakening shortly after the Battle of Geonosis, Durge learns that the only Mandalorians still alive are the Clone Troopers, which were created from Mandalorian Jango Fett. Durge joins the Confederacy to enact his revenge upon Jango Fett's clones. His swoop bike is a high-performance craft with exceptional speed and challenges even the most skilled pilots. Simple vehicles, they achieve their performance through a combination of repulsorlift and turbothrust engines. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's desk drawer.

Commentary: This Durge figure is a sad commentary and how far we've slipped as far as expectations of what your dollar can get you. In 2003, $10 got you a super-articulated figure (minus the ankles), a small vehicle, and more guns than the figure had hands. $5 got you a basic figure. And a nickel would get you two slurgs of petrol and some change on top of that, dadgummit. Of course, this wasn't to say it was a perfect set-- Hasbro dropped numerous paint applications from the basic Durge release for this deluxe version, but I dare say this made the figure better. Basic Durge had some exposed peachy-colored flesh on his arms, but the deluxe version was completely covered in his armor-- which I think provided a far better interpretation of the character as seen in comics and on the teevee. The figure's blaster pistols fit neatly into his holster, he can look around in all directions, and he's easily the best Durge your money can buy. Seriously, Hasbro has yet to do better-- this one has it all.

The bike itself is nice, as it features a few tabs for what seems to be a missing piece, and a place to keep the lance and the rifle. There's some nifty deco on it, some of which may have been sacrificed in order to meet the price point-- this set has a lot of plastic in it. The "damage" is a little weak, but it's a nifty green color and it doesn't look a lot like Durge's vehicles in any other format-- so it's possible this is a Hasbro creation, or something off of the Lucas drawing boards. Either way, it's pretty cool... it just doesn't look like the one in the cartoons. It doesn't blow up or do anything super neat, but as an accessory it really sizzles. It's not like Hasbro generally redoes a figure to add articulation and a freaking vehicle, but here you go-- they did, and it's great. You might still want all three versions of Durge, as each is pretty unique and ultimately brings something new to the table, but this is the best of them all. Skip it at your own peril.

Collector's Notes: This figure has never been rereleased, which is a shame as it's pretty great. Another "realistic" Durge was made for the comic pack line in late Summer 2008, which was a mishmash of this mold, the other mold, and new parts. Today the figure commands a slight premium on the secondary market, and it's probably worth the extra few bucks. It's a nice package.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 894: November 17, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 893: Roron Corobb

RORON COROBB Jedi Knight
30th Anniversary Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87500 No. 87333
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, coin
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: September 2007
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: Roron Corobb takes on the duties of a Senior General during the Clone Wars. Along with his Jedi compatriots, Shaak Ti and Foul Moudama, Roron is assigned to protect Supreme Chancellor Palpatine from General Grievous. But despite his skill and bravery, Roron is killed by the cyborg general in his unrelenting push to capture Palpatine. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam's keyboard.

Commentary: As a figure that appeared in a book and in a few cartoons, it seemed like just a matter of time before Hasbro cranked out our very own Roron Corobb action figure. It's one of three characters from the original Cartoon Network series which were based on Cantina aliens, but now have lightsabers, and were up for a "vote for the alien to appear on the show" contest. This one lost, and by losing, he ended up with a much meatier part than the winner, Voolvif Monn, received. Anyway, it's talk about Roron.

Named for artist Ron Cobb, the man responsible for a lot of alien designs in the original Star Wars, the Jedi is more than Hammerhead in a bathrobe. (Well, not much more, but more.) The figure has ball-jointed ankles, knees, and shoulders. His head, waist, hips, and elbows can swivel. Oh, and his head is funky. Unlike the tiny eyed Momaw Nadon, Roron Corobb has big freaking expressive eyes which are a lot more like E.T. than the aliens seen in the movies. This gives the character more personality, and a look closer to his animated appearance. Unfortunately, the continuity fans out there are left wondering why Momaw Nadon has tiny eyes and Roron Corobb has big blue eyes. But, again, I digress.

There's a decent amount of detail in the figure's robes, but it looks a little more like an alien in a kung-fu getup than a Jedi. Since Hasbro seemed to want to translate the animation design into reality, this is more or less to be expected. There's a lot to like here, especially if you're a fan of that original Cartoon Network Clone Wars series. (And if you aren't, go track down the DVDs. They're just barely out of print.) I was really stoked to get this figure last year, and I figure some of you will enjoy it too. Assuming you like the idea of random aliens with lightsabers, and really, who doesn't?

Collector's Notes: As part of the elusive "Wave 5" (aka Expanded Universe wave), this figure came and went in a hurry. If you blinked, you missed it. No known plans exist for a reissue, but if the character appears on the show it's possible that it could eventually happen.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 893: November 14, 2008

Figure of the Day: Day 841: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID Firing Blaster!
The Clone Wars Animated Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87638 No. 87663
Number: #07
Includes: Blaster, backpack, projectile, launcher
Action Feature: Firing launcher
Retail: $7.99
Availability: July 2008
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Battle droids are the perfect soldiers in battle - programmed to fight without hesitation and deployed in vast numbers that overwhelm opponents. Individually, though, their limited cognitive ability makes them vulnerable when up against the daring recklessness of Anakin Skywalker and the agile Ahsoka Tano; the two skilled Jedi can easily outwit and outmaneuver these mechanized fighters. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: So these "special" troopers aren't so smart-- I guess that's pretty common knowledge by now. The Battle Droid seems to be a staple in the action figure line, one of few characters introduced in the first prequel which seems to consistently perform at retail. And is also repainted many, many times. This new mold hasn't yet seen a redeco, but we all know it's a matter of time. With the new animated style, Hasbro gave him thicker limbs which should better hold up to gravity. Previous droids had a bad habit of bending and falling over, but this one looks more stable. We'll see how that goes. The sculpt is actually pretty good, but the weird thing is that when combined with its paint job it almost looks wooden to me. It's nice that it's so different visually, but it's also a little strange. The figure's head seems smaller than it should be, too, which adds to its unique look.

With articulation at the waist (a first!), neck, shoulders, hips, and elbows, this is a pretty decent figure. If it had knees, it would be the most articulated version of the character ever, but the figure really only needs more articulation at the elbow. With his standard gun and firing gun, it can be a little tricky to get both hands on the weapon. Extra articulation would have helped immensely, and after last year's Super Battle Droid it might not be out of the question for Hasbro to be able to do this. As few Battle Droids sport elbow joints and none have a waist joint, this figure stands out as being pretty unique in terms of play value. I'd say get one, but hold off on troop building until you see if you really like it or not.

Collector's Notes: Seemingly a speedy seller, this figure is flying off the pegs. I wouldn't suggest paying a premium for it as you can practically smell all the Battle Packs it will be in later this year or next year.

Day 841: September 3, 2008

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 514: Mace Windu

MACE WINDU General of the Republic Army
Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84848
Number: #0348
Includes: Lightsaber, removable gauntlets
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: Forced by the sweeping tide of events to put aside the art of diplomacythat he favors over art of war, Mace Windu reluctantly wields his lightsaber to repel the dark forces that are undermining peace. A man of great wisdom and experience, Mace in nonetheless a skilled and formidable opponent as he is one of the best lightsaber fighters in the Jedi Order. As a General, Mace leads Clone Troopers in ground battles across the galaxy. Also an accomplished pilot, Mace takes part in space battles during the Clone Wars, piloting a Jedi Starfighter in skirmishes against the Separatist forces. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: Seemingly having "got it," Hasbro expanded the universe in 2003 by designing its own costumes for several figures during the Clone Wars, or at least enhancing other designs. Mace Windu was part of the second wave, and was quite popular at retail. And of course, why wouldn't he be? With added armor, some of the best (at the time) articulation, added armor, and appearances (more or less) in part of the biggest multimedia project of the year, he was a hit. Sure, his face didn't really look like Sam Jackson. Yeah, the leg articulation sucked and the robes prevented him from sitting down easily. The figure has ball-jointed shoulders and elbows, plus one of the first-ever ball-jointed necks. Sure, it kinda sucked-- but it was significant, dadgummit. If you take off the figure's removable gauntlets, you're left with an above-average sculpt with decent articulation that almost looks like he could have come straight out of the movies, plus he comes with the first-ever purple Windu lightsaber with a plastic grip. (Look it up.) This is feeling like a very schizo entry, but since this figure is both awesome and awful all at once, that seems to be fitting. For fans of the films, you can skip this, but for lovers of unique toys, you can't miss this.

Collector's Notes: Like many Clone Wars figures, this one never saw a second release-- after 2003, he was gone forever. There's no good reason to reissue him given the unusual armor on his outfit, but I wouldn't be shocked to see him-- or parts of him-- again somewhere.

Day 514: October 2, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 511: Clone Trooper Lieutenant (Blue)

CLONE TROOPER Lieutenant
Clone Wars Wal-Mart Bonus Pack
Item No.: Asst. 85205 No. 84753
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster rifle, Anakin figure (with his gear)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.96
Availability: September 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars

Bio: Clone troopers were identical, genetically-modified soldiers bred and trained to serve in the Republic's army during the conflict that came to be known as the Clone Wars. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Back in 2003, there weren't many Clone Trooper action figures to be had, so this one was a real treat. By taking the (at the time) most articulated Clone Trooper on the market, Hasbro whipped up a plan for surefire success. With this Lieutenant (and two others), Hasbro created Wal-Mart exclusive "double" packs that basically stuck together two basic carded figures for $4.96. So you got a Clone, and another figure, for dirt freaking cheap. Since we were all starved for Clones, this proved quite exciting, as the value was (and still is) unmatched making it the deal of the year. Two newly released and exclusive figures for five bucks? You'll never see that again.

This figure was the one of the first-ever blue Lieutenant figures, which made it quite exciting. Your white and blue friend here had articulation at the shoulders, wrists, elbows (swivel), waist, hips, neck, and knees. So 12 joints was pretty cool, but nothing compared to the super-articulated sculpt we'd get just months later. The figure's construction is nothing spectacular, although it's worth noting that the white plastic used in some figures during 2002 and 2003 was prone to discoloration via a weird film that would grow on the figure-- this can often be wiped off, but not always. It isn't "yellowing" but some other oddball process I've seen on clone figures, Padme, and at least one R2-D2. A little water and a paper towel can fix the discolored helmet and arms easily, but for fans of packaged figures, well, that's just the way it's going to be. Kudos to Hasbro for seemingly since having found a better grade of white plastic, as discolored troop builders makes the hobby seem like a bit of a waste. Still, it's unfortunate that the materials used had to suck. Oh, and the visor is nicely glossy. I really like that. Hopefully we'll see more glossy visors on Clones as I don't care for the matte ones so much.

Collector's Notes: This was one of the exclusives that I turned tracking down into a holy quest, and even then, I only saw them twice. (And yes, one time I bought the whole freaking case. Sue me. You'd have done it too.) Surprisingly, the figures never really shot up in value. I don't generally set expectations for the secondary market but the fact these often had times struggling to sell for $10 surprises me-- the set in and of itself is totally worth $10. You get two figures, that's a $10 value, right? Apparently not.

Day 511: September 29, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 483: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER ARMY Army of the Republic
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84987
Number: n/a
Includes: Non-removable rifle, 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars

Bio: Virtually indistinguishable from one another, Clone Troopers are identical in physical appearance, mental capability, and stamina. Part of a clone army, they are grown in the cloning facilities of Tipoca City, a luminescent city of industry emerging from the raging seas of Kamino. Although clone troopers share the same modified genetic code, their genetic structure has been altered to make them less independent than their genetic host, and their growth has been accelerated to twice the normal rate of a human. Grown and trained specifically for military combat, the Clone Army was mysteriously commissioned ten years earlier. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: It seems about 30% of all figures these days, if you could see their face, would have Jango Fett's head-- and this Clone Trooper would be no exception. If you know, its helmet could come off. The limited articulation helps keep this figure cheap, as you can move it at the neck, waist, wrist, and shoulders. And that's it. If you like its default pose, wonderful-- you're going to love the figure. If not, well, why are you reading this? The figure has white plastic and black paint, so there's no battle damage, there's no grey details, and unless you're a fan of customizing or making a diorama, this figure might not have much to offer you. Of course, I'm Clone crazy, so I have a few of these and I find them great for filling out gunships or flanking Jedi on a shelf. As toys, these figures kinda suck-- sure, I guess you can knock 'em over and pretend they're fighting, but since it can't sit or really be posed, what you're buying is a nice, low-end statue. Not that there's anything wrong with that, the same can be said about many of Hasbro's more popular figures since 2000.

Collector's Notes: For whatever reason, Hasbro has been reluctant to reissue these "army soldier" Clones of limited articulation, which is a real shame as they'd make nice bonus items in other sets as they can't cost too much to make. The prices on these once hard-to-get figures have dropped as other Clones came out and grabbed fan interest, so if you want them odds are you can find them without too much work these days. Back in the day, this figure was fairly easy to get by virtue of it appearing in most of the sets.

Day 483: September 1, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 393: Red ARC Trooper

ARC TROOPER Army of the Republic
Clone Wars Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85205 No. 84753
Number: 0343
Includes: Blaster Rifle, removable armor (waistcoat, shoulder pauldron, rangefinder)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99-$5.99
Availability: Late 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: The ultimate supercommandos, the ARC (Advanced Recon Commando) troopers are clones who were personally trained by Jango Fett. Only a select number of ARC troopers were bred and trained before Jango's untimely demise at the Battle of Geonosis. Activated shortly after the start of the Clone Wars, ARC troopers are used for only the most dangerous missions in which a substantial amount of independent thought and iniative is required. They are equipped with highly advanced clone trooper armor and formidable heavy weaponry. Whether they are fighting on their own or at the side of the Jedi, the ARC troopers are a symbol of the Republic's military superiority over the droid armies of the Confederacy. (Taken from the figure's cardback. Which is the same as the blue figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy room.

Commentary: While released for a few short weeks in late 2003, this red ARC Trooper quickly became a fan favorite due to the awesome red ARC Trooper in the Clone Wars cartoons. He had two guns, could signal with his hands, and do all sorts of crazy stuff-- which this figure couldn't do. No, this figure took the existing blue ARC Trooper, changed it to red, and that's it-- so you got a rifle, and the same figure with questionable articulation. Sure, it has ball-shoulders, but swivel elbows and normal neck, waist, hip, and shoulder joints really don't make it exciting. Of course, sometimes that doesn't matter-- the character is just so gosh-darn exciting that fans like myself had to have it. If you were one of the lucky (and smart) fans to buy extra Clone Trooper pilots, you might even have extra guns so you could give this guy extra armaments. Out of the box, this is a pretty imperfect figure, but it didn't matter. Sometimes, being rare is more important than being great. Still, if you like Clone Wars, you totally need to get this one or some other red ARC Trooper figure. As red ARC Troopers are muy, muy excellente. Muy.

Collector's Notes: This figure was exceedingly hard to get in many markets, leading some fans to believe it doesn't exist. Well, obviously, it does exist. Another red ARC Trooper (named Fordo) was released in 2006 as part of a Toys "R" Us exclusive Battle Pack, except it used a completely different mold and didn't have a rangefinder-- which is an important part of the character's ensemble. It's quite surprising Hasbro didn't reissue this one given how much it tends to go for on eBay, which is to say, more than it cost when it first came out. Which is really rare given collectors have an attention span of about a year when it comes to "rare" figures.

Day 393: June 3, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 391: Twi'Lek Jedi Knight

JEDI KNIGHT Army of the Republic
Clone Wars Deluxe Figure Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84836
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: A noble order of protectors unified by their belief and observance of the Force, the Jedi hearken back to a more civilized, classical time in galactic history. Their order is ancient, spanning over a thousand generations. As the Galactic Republic grew over the centuries, the Jedi came to serve it as guardians of peace and justice. Headquartered on Coruscant, the Jedi trained, studied, and planned from the impressive Jedi Temple, a towering edifice rising high above the surrounding structures on the city-planet. As the Clone Wars descend darkly upon myriad worlds, the Jedi battle to return security and order to the troubled galaxy. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: The toy room floor of Adam Pawlus.

Commentary: While many fans lament the lack of articulation with figures like this Jedi Knight of Twi'lek descent, it all boils down to costs. After all, you have to make concessions when you put three action figures in a package for $9.99. The figure has four points of articulation, which is just enough to get it to stand up, assume a battle stance, and hold a lightsaber. The figure can't sit, can't assume most poses, or really do much other than fight. For kids, it's a good figure, but collectors might be upset that this figure can't do much other than be on a shelf. (Ironic.) Anyway, the sculpt is good, the paint is OK, and for a figure that technically cost about $3.33, it's actually very well done. A little more work on the face would have been nice, and the figure could benefit from more joints, but the end result is a fairly good, fairly cheap action figure. Also, this figure will most likely require a display stand or it will fall over-- so be sure you have extras.

Collector's Notes: Interest in this 3-pack has shot up since I reviewed the human from the set a few months back, so now it actually costs more than its original retail price before shipping most of the time. Given you get three unique Jedi warriors available nowhere else, it's probably worth getting. There are no other male Twi'lek Jedi action figures to be had yet, so why not get this one?

Day 391: June 1, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 384: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER ARMY Army of the Republic
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84987
Number: n/a
Includes: Binoculars, 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars

Bio: Virtually indistinguishable from one another, Clone Troopers are identical in physical appearance, mental capability, and stamina. Part of a clone army, they are grown in the cloning facilities of Tipoca City, a luminescent city of industry emerging from the raging seas of Kamino. Although clone troopers share the same modified genetic code, their genetic structure has been altered to make them less independent than their genetic host, and their growth has been accelerated to twice the normal rate of a human. Grown and trained specifically for military combat, the Clone Army was mysteriously commissioned ten years earlier. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' AOTC Clone Shelf.

Commentary: The Clone Trooper Army 3-packs were sort of awesome, sort of crappy, and sort of a pain all at once. It was nearly impossible to find all 5 variations on this set, which, between them, had only 8 different figures. So even if you bought the fewest possible packs, you'd still wind up with at least 12 figures when all you might want were those 8-- but thankfully, they're Clones, and extras are usually welcome. This particular Clone was the best of the four molds used in the set, as it had a set of binoculars to hold as well as a rifle molded to his hand. As such, there's more room for variety. With non-moving legs, you're basically stuck with one pose and limited arm articulation-- still, it's not a bad figure, and for those building a huge army, it's worth getting. There's just not a lot you can do with this Commander other than stick him on a shelf or a diorama.

Collector's Notes: For whatever reason, Hasbro has been reluctant to reissue these "army soldier" Clones of limited articulation, which is a real shame as they'd make nice bonus items in other sets as they can't cost too much to make. The prices on these once hard-to-get figures have dropped as other Clones came out and grabbed fan interest, so if you want them odds are you can find them without too much work these days. Back in the day, at least where I lived, the pack with this clone and the green one proved impossible to find locally.

Day 384: May 25, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 317: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER ARMY Army of the Republic
Clone Wars Deluxe Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84987
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 more figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Attack of the Clones, Clone Wars

Bio: Virtually indistinguishable from one another, Clone Troopers are identical in physical appearance, mental capability, and stamina. Part of a clone army, they are grown in the cloning facilities of Tipoca City, a luminescent city of industry emerging from the raging seas of Kamino. Although clone troopers share the same modified genetic code, their genetic structure has been altered to make them less independent than their genetic host, and their growth has been accelerated to twice the normal rate of a human. Grown and trained specifically for military combat, the Clone Army was mysteriously commissioned ten years earlier. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Clone shelf.

Commentary: Hasbro realized that fans loved Clone Trooper figures, and devised a way to give us a bunch of them quickly. This figure, along with a few others, were packaged in "Clone Army" three-packs, and each figure had limited articulation, limited deco, and in some cases, limited distribution. Between five unique configurations of these three-packs, Hasbro made a grand total of eight different Clone Trooper figures (kneeling, kneeling green, binoculars, binoculars yellow, sniper, sniper red, standing, standing blue) so to "collect them all" you'd have to spend at least $40, as the all-white set had figures that could be found in the other packs. Naturally, the white one was the most common.

This figure is the white kneeling variation, which was packaged in a few other sets and, sadly, doesn't move much. The head moves, the waist and writsts move, and aside from that you can't get a lot out of this figure. He's great for dioramas or certain places in a Gunship, but really, he's just a static trooper-- for the money, he's a good figure, but with only a little black paint and no articulation, it's not exactly a lot of fun to play with. Although it is durable and as the gun is molded to his hand, you're fairly unlikely to ever lose it. This is a figure you should get if you're a big Clone fan, otherwise you probably won't get a lot out of it.

Collector's Notes: Given the many configurations of this figure (and the fact it was retooled for Revenge of the Sith), fans weren't left very excited by it. There are lots more white Clones that do more than this one that are just as easy to find, so if you want this one, odds are it won't cost you very much. Also, for the super-complete collector, remember there are only five configurations of this set-- Hasbro didn't make the Clones in every pose with every color, they only come in white or one other color.

Day 317: March 19, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 311: Saesee Tiin

SAESEE TIIN Army of the Republic
Clone Wars Collection
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84769
Number: 0351
Includes: Lightsaber, headgear, gauntlets, shin armor
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Fall 2003
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: The imposing Saesee Tiin was a member of the Jedi Council during the final years the Republic. His master, Omo Bouri, instiled in him a strong sense of comviction, honing the Iktotchi's skill and dedication to the order to the point of near-fanaticism. True to his unswerving commitment, Tiin fought with unrelenting courage and determination in the Clone Wars, bearing the scars of battle in the partial loss of one of the dramatic horns that surround his grim face. During the Clone Wars, he demonstrated his masterful skills as a pilot. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: It's not every day Hasbro designs a figure with battle-damage, the ability to sit, and the foresight to use it as a pilot for a vehicle that would come a lot later. (Of course, as it was using a ship mold from 2002, it's not a stretch.) Saesee Tiin has been given four figures, all of which are pretty excellent. This one is the most fun as far as a plaything goes, as it has gear, can sit in a ship, and just plain looks good. His face has a lot of deco and detail, his costume is just improved enough from the movie one to look tough without looking goofy. The gloved hands were a nice touch, and it's great to see Hasbro gave this figure an entirely new sculpt rather than churning out a variant of an existing product with slightly different limbs. If you're a fan of good figures, this should be on your wish list. And if you bought the bright orange Saesee Tiin's Jedi Starfighter vehicle, consider this action figure a must-buy.

Collector's Notes: What's notable-- and unfortunate-- is that the design on the cartoon Clone Wars was even cooler than what Hasbro came up with for this action figure. In the animated series, he was given some space armor that was a mishmash of this figure and the aesthetics of the Clone Trooper. It's awesome. Gentle Giant is making a Bust-Ups micro bust based on that design, but Hasbro has yet to commit to an action figure based on the design. (But a Transformer? Yes.) This figure can be had fairly cheaply, so you shouldn't have to pay too much more than $10 shipped for it if you're patient and do enough hunting.

Day 311: March 13, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 265: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID Droid Army
Clone Wars Deluxe Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 84845 No. 84992
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Backpack
Action Feature: Splits in half, magnet in torso
Retail: $9.99
Availability: Fall 2003

Appearances: Attack of the Clones, The Clone Wars

Bio: Battle Droids are produced in massive foundries on Geonosis. Despite a treaty forbidding the expansion of those armies, Geonosian foundries are currently running at maximum capacity, with thousands more battle droids secretly massing on Geonosis. Destroyer Droids, also known as droidekas, are engineered specifically as mobile machines of destruction, capable of eliminating practically any opposition. They roll into battle in the shape of a wheel, then unfold to full-standing combat stance for assault. Super Battle Droids operate independently rather than in groups, making them stronger, more efficient models of technological weaponry. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: This particular Battle Droid is a quasi-painful figure. It looks wonderful-- I think it's one of the best looking versions of this trooper ever. If given a stand, he stands upright-- but his rubbery limbs tend to get distorted between gravity and his packaging. If you knock him over, he splits apart fairly easily, and the sculpt is, well, pretty much exactly as good as all the other Battle Droids, but with unique deco. If you love cannon fodder, this is a perfect figure-- if you're looking for some diorama spice and variety, you need this figure-- if you want the best-ever super-poseable Battle Droid, pass on this one. He has poseable arms and legs, and not much else.

Collector's Notes: Three figures for $10-- a great deal. The set also included a Destroyer Droid and a Super Battle Droid. While neither were high-end, super-poseable figures, they looked great and for the price, were wonderful additions to the line.

Day 265: January 26, 2007

Figure of the Day: Day 247: Clone Commander

CLONE COMMANDER Mace Windu's Attack Battalion
The Saga Collection Target Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87110
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster pistol, blaster rifle, helmet, "purse"
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2006
Appearances: The Clone Wars (in theory)

Bio: This commander leads a team of clone troopers into battle to protect the Jedi Temple. He uses a series of hand signals to direct and position his battalion as they battle the invading droid army. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Inside the backdrop from the box for Mace Windu's Attack Battalion.

Commentary: At first, this looks like a brand new figure. It isn't. This Clone Commander is the Revenge of the Sith Evolutions Star Corps Clone mold, modified with a new helmet, and additional new accessories. It even has the same, thinner rifle. The newly tooled shoulder prevents some of the motion which the original figure had, but it's still pretty spiffy. The head under the helmet has oddly painted eyebrows, and is slightly paler than you might like. As such, you can thank your lucky stars that you have a helmet which you can leave on his head. There's not much to say about this Clone that hasn't been said about most others-- it's very posable, includes more guns than you need, and doesn't come from a specific story in the existing Expanded Universe. It's just a cool purple Clone with a funky helmet, and fans of such things will enjoy it. It makes an exciting toy for this reason, as there are very few Star Wars action figures that don't already have an entire backstory fleshed out for them before you make the purchase. With this one, it's almost entirely up to you.

Collector's Notes: The Episode II and Episode III hammock is largely called Clone Wars, so it makes sense that any Clone Trooper with the Revenge of the Sith helmet design and any relation to a character killed in that film would be, by default, Clone Wars. As far as I can tell, no fiction has shown a visual representation (or even a mention) of Mace having his on squad-- but hey, here it is. The box says "As Seen on Cartoon Network" but does not sport a Clone Wars logo like on other recent items from the series. Which is funny, because it would make more sense to say that this is a toy from the Clone Wars because it could be, yet I do not recall seeing it on Cartoon Network at all. Also, this set includes three of the Clone Trooper, one Clone Commander, and Mace Windu in the boxed set.

Also, the figure has one small blaster pistol-- not two, like it says on the box. It is stored in the man-purse. Also, this item sold out in most stores fairly quickly, an unusual case in 2006 as nearly every Target exclusive hit the clearance racks in decent numbers for nearly all Hasbro Star Wars exclusive products. This mold will return again in Wave 1 of the 2007 "30th Anniversary Collection," but painted in orange and named the Utapau Airborne Trooper.

Day 247: January 8, 2007