Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,428: Shoretrooper Captain (Rogue One Line Look)

SHORETROOPER CAPTAIN vs. Bistan
Rogue One   Two Pack Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. B7073 No. C0928
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 figures, 2 rifles, 1 backpack rocket launcher, 2 projectiles
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.99
Availability: October 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio:  Relishing the thrill of action, Bistan fights to ensure the freedom of fellow Iakaru, taking on enemies like Imperial stormtroopers. Specialist stormtroopers stationed at the top secret Imperial military headquarters on Scarif, Shoretroopers patrol the beaches and bunkers of the planetary facility. (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: Also a "lost" figure, the Shoretrooper Captain  was the third of three varieties of Scarif Stormtrooper from Rogue One.  Hasbro even teased that three versions would be coming, but it looked like it was not to be briefly - mercifully this barely-new mold with very new deco slipped out by mercy of an online store chasing it down.   This is, to date, the only Hasbro figure of the Shoretrooper Captain in any scale.  I assume this might change some day, because it looks like an easy 6-inch or 3 3/4-inch The Black Series redeco down the road.

If you bought a Wave 3 Shoretrooper [FOTD #2,343], you might recognize the core figure as being basically identical.  It's notable that the original plain trooper was made in China and this Captain was made in Vietnam, so there are some very minor changes between the molds - but they're functionally identical  with the Captain having a more rubbery "skirt."   Aside from copyright markings, the other changes are crisper details.  The texture on the thighs are just a little more detailed, and the helmet looks a lot sharper.   The other big difference of course, is a smattering of blue and yellow - the Captain has a lot more color than the rank and file troop.

It's also worth noting that the blasters changed.  The single-carded plain Shoretrooper is blacker and has more detail - certain dongles are missing from the Captain's blaster, which is also a little more brown.   So far it seems that Vietnam tends to make better figures, with China having the better accessories, so if you want the best of everything you'll need to be a completist.   Unless you squint, though, I doubt you'd even realize there was a difference between them.

As an unabashed fan of troopers, droids, and aliens - not necessarily in that order - it really stung when it looked like this set may not have made it out.   The deco on this trooper is really top-notch, with a yellow band on his forearm and blue stripes on the body and shoulder.   It would be awesome to have had a chance to buy a lot more of these, but a short-run online release beats no release at all!   Snag it if it's still available, and weep 5 years from now when it costs more.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth where it is a de facto exclusive shared with its EE Distribution wholesale wing.   I work there, so you know how biased I can be.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,428: November 22, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,427: Bistan (Rogue One Line Look)

BISTAN vs. Shoretrooper Captain
Rogue One   Two Pack Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. B7073 No. C0928
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 figures, 2 rifles, 1 backpack rocket launcher, 2 projectiles
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $17.99
Availability: October 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio:  Relishing the thrill of action, Bistan fights to ensure the freedom of fellow Iakaru, taking on enemies like Imperial stormtroopers. Specialist stormtroopers stationed at the top secret Imperial military headquarters on Scarif, Shoretroopers patrol the beaches and bunkers of the planetary facility. (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: Initially debuted at Toy Fair, the Bistan  figure was shown alongside then-unreleased Galen Erso, Admiral Raddus, a Shoretrooper Captain, Fenn Rau, and Lt. Sefla.  Fan communication with Hasbro is a lot less complete than it has been, so it wasn't really obvious that the Captain and Bistan weren't going to be made until it suddenly became obvious the line was ending and there was no final wave of 2-packs coming.  I was heartbroken - a new trooper, and an awesome alien never to see the light of day?   Enter Entertainment Earth, where this item eventually arrived.  You can tell by the date stamp on the box that it was manufactured long after the rest of the line was over, and while it's not a proper "exclusive" you won't find it anywhere else - currently I believe all units manufactured on the planet came through Entertainment Earth as it was not released overseas.  (For all I know it might, but for now, it's not an exclusive... but it's pretty exclusive.)  Surely some handsome devil was thinking you might want this.

I picked up one of the big Rogue One guide books and was irritated by how wonderful it was - dozens of Original Trilogy-ish aliens, rebels, Imperials, and other characters were all sitting there.   And because Hasbro figured Rogue One would be less popular, the line was over before we saw the movie and could say "I want that!"  Mercifully Bistan got pulled from the garbage chute and cranked out - so you should order one.   This is the last figure from that line - Fenn Rau made it out overseas (and a startlingly limited number were made of the US assortment which technically never hit - but that's another story) so for those of you who want to be all-in, get this.  It's cool.

Bistan is about 3 1/2-inches tall, a full head shorter than his trooper companion.   The figure itself has a ball-jointed neck that gives him a really good range of motion, with a head tilt that you don't normally see in these guys.  The bulky suit allowed for more movement, and I appreciate it.  He wears a drab costume that's in line with the whole recycled costume aesthetic we saw in the original trilogy, complete with a ring around his neck that implies a matching space helmet could have been out of view of the camera.  While he lacks patterned texture on his costume, he's loaded with wrinkles and stitched details. Pockets, patches, and what may well be a parachute pack add a lot to a costume that seems simple at first glance.  A few of the cables and straps on his suit were left unpainted, but most of them do get some level of decoration - like the connectors on his wrists, the silver buckles, even a codpiece.   The limbs all move freely, and he could sit if he didn't have a corner of cloth hanging off his backside.   The eyes match the movie and the head sculpt is good, but it's impossible to match the wispy eyebrows and mustache of the film design at this scale.  The Hasbro designers came close, though.

The level of contrast in the face is a little higher than it probably should be, but it does help it from looking too samey.  It's also t he only Bistan you're likely to get, and he has a rocket pack that shoots fairly well.  A Rebel blaster fits in his hand snuggly, making this a pretty decked-out figure.   As most things Rogue One are being shoved under the proverbial table right now, you should probably snag this and also bug Hasbro to make some of the other characters from the film like Blue Squadron, Caitken, Killi Gimm, or other designs that only appeal to men in their 20s-40s.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Entertainment Earth where it is a de facto exclusive shared with its EE Distribution wholesale wing.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,427: November 20, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,397: Galen Erso (Rogue One)

GALEN ERSO Zipline Action
Rogue One   Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. B7072 No. C1974
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, Mouse Droid, Zipline
Action Feature: Zipline
Retail: $7.99
Availability: May 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: A scientific genius, Galen Erso was coerced by the Galactic Empire to help develop weapons of ultimate destruction.  With deep regret, Erso perfected methods to harness the magnifying effects of kyber crystals to power the Death Star's planet-shattering superlaser. (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:  It took me a while to crack open Galen Erso because I didn't feel great about the line being over - and thanks to someone working somewhere, it isn't.   It's merely one of the later figures.   Hasbro did a great job designing this figure and a good job with the head - coming up with the right amount of scruff and sadness on a human face at this scale  is a challenge, particularly when you have certain cost metrics to meet.  The uniform is a good recreation of the movie, down to the science patch.  The colors maybe could be better, but it's still good.  It looks like Mads Mikkelsen, with a good sculpt slightly marred by soft detail in the plastic.  It's clearly  him, though.

He has no problems sitting, standing, or holding any of his gear.  The zipline fits in his hand better than any other in the line, although its design doesn't lend it to zipping forward particularly well.  It's a good design though.  The blaster is classic fare, also fitting in his hand easily.   What really makes the set sing is the mouse droid, complete with teeny tiny rolling wheels.   I think it's my favorite Hasbro mouse droid so far.

It's fun, it's neat, and I'm kind of amazed it even came out - sometimes these tail-enders vanish.   It's one of few (perhaps the only) scientists the Empire ever gave us as a figure, so it's nice.  Maybe we'll get more some day.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,397: August 21, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,376: Lieutenant Sefla (Rogue One)

LIEUTENANT SEFLA Projectile Firing
Rogue One   Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. B7072 No. C1975
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, helmet, projectile, launcher
Action Feature: Launching rocket
Retail: $7.99
Availability: May 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: A platoon leader in the Alliance SpecForces, Sefla is eager for action.  A strong, capable soldier,  Sefla has a lot of heart be brings to the fight against 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:  As I'm in the business, I see stuff early.  I didn't see Lieutenant Sefla (the figure) early but sometimes names show up and I had to ask "Who the heck is that?"   Raddus' name and Galen Erso were known entities, but prior to the movie nobody knew who Sefla was.   I eventually found a blurb confirming the actor who was cast in the role, but that didn't help things.  I saw the movie, and that didn't help things either.   This is a nifty, distinctive Rebel trooper - but why this one?  Galen Erso is a pivotal character portrayed by a well-known character actor.   Admiral Raddus steals the show.   Sefla, I'm not 100% sure I could point out in the movie without a freeze-frame.  Mercifully Hasbro delivered a pretty good figure for us to puzzle over, assuming you can find him online to buy somewhere.

As with most recent figures, Sefla has 5 points of articulation including a ball-jointed neck.  What's a real treat is his helmet - it's removable!    It looks like a high-tech version of something the US forces might have used during Vietnam, mixed with elements of the helmets we saw on Endor from Return of the Jedi.  The straps hang down nicely, with painted green and grey bits bringing it to life.    His head sculpt looks like the pictures you'll see in guide books, with a blaster unpainted to match. 

I'm stunned that while Raddus was hollow (and I have touched the sky), Sefla is actually solid plastic in his torso.  This gives him a little more heft, which is a curious choice given he's a little rounder than most figures.  I like that the colors of his uniform have a familiar vibe, even if he could stand to have more and brighter paint applications.  It's the only Sefla I assume we'll ever get, so at least I can say I'm happy he can stand up and hold his gun.  His legs also swing forward far enough that he should fit in many vehicles without much of a fight - a huge plus.

I'm even more surprised that his bazooka is cool.  The design is marvelous - the plastic projectile is a grey rocket, with a red explosion trailing out from behind it.  The launcher itself looks good, with some nice deco.  Brilliant!   Unfortunately it's too heavy for him to balance it, and the shoulder covering part doesn't necessarily stay in place.   I don't love the execution, but the thought process put in to making this particular accessory has me giddy.  Hasbro actually exploited the safety requirements for its bazooka projectile to make something that would be even cooler than just a small firing rocket designed to choke children ca. 1978.

Sefla's a good modern Hasbro figure.  It's not the best ever, but we're fortunate that we got this new character instead of yet another retread of someone we already purchased.   The sculpting is good, the deco is mostly on the spot, and he's a display stand away from being everything he should.  If you have the means, get one.  Also if you ever hear why we got him instead of somebody else, I'd be curious to know.  He's not bad - far from it - I'm always just a little bewildered when someone like a Ric Olie gets a figure that must have been in development before the final cut of the film.  The rumor (fact?) was that the performance for Ric Olie wasn't good enough for the final cut, and I can only assume Sefla was surgically edited out after the reshoots.  But I don't know this - I do know he turned out well enough to make me happy that he exists.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,376: June 7, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,372: Moroff (Rogue One, Kohl's)

MOROFF Boxed Set
Rogue One Kohl's Exclusive Gift Set
Item No.:   No. 9605
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, 2 rockets, backpack, 3 more figures with accessories
Action Feature: Rockets launch
Retail: $30-$49.99
Availability: November 2016
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Moroff seeks out combat zones to sell his brawn and firepower to anyone who might need it.  The mighty Gigoran mercenary figures there's money to be made for a towering heavy of great strength.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Before the movie came out, I was thrilled to have Moroff as an action figure.  He was a big, hairy alien with lots of guns and a distinctive look that recalled Wampas and Wookiees.   The Moroff [FOTD #2,304] figure first shipped as part of a must-have two-pack with a Scarif Stormtrooper Squad Leader, but this version which shipped to Kohl's was slightly different.   I don't mean "batch difference," I mean there are conscious changes made to the accessory decoration and maybe to the figure itself.  The figure's changes are minor, but the backpack's look is significantly different.   For those keeping track "significantly different" means "I can describe how it's different without you having to compare it side-by-side with the other version."

The Kohl's Moroff is, at first glance, exactly the same as the regular 2-pack version.   When placed side by side, there's a minor difference in the face as the Kohl's version has a little less brown around the eyes, and the "beard" is a little more brown and less is more completely decorated.  The silver on his body seems to be a bit brighter, while the 2-pack version seems tempered with a hint of brown in it.   Depending on the sample, the feet look a little more yellow.   Your mileage may vary.   As far as the figure itself goes, I don't think that either release is different enough where you're going to want or need (or recognize) both.

Now what makes the figure interesting is his weapon backpack.  The 2-pack version is a brown color, while the Kohl's 4-pack is black plastic.  The 2-pack version has some painted details on the shoulder harness, while the Kohl's 4-pack is unpainted.  The cannon barrels on the 2-pack version are unpainted, while the 4-pack from Kohl's has silver "scraping" or "paint wear" on it.  I'd say it's the very definition of just different enough to make you mad - there are obvious, deliberate changes having been made to the accessory and none of them are necessarily interesting enough to warrant picking up this version just for those changes unless you, like me, still have a weird burning urge to pick up pretty much any moderately observable change in a 3 3/4-inch Star Wars figure.

And that wraps it up for this set.   Pao isn't significantly different enough to warrant a review as an altered figure as far as I can tell, as I was unable to note any obvious changes.   At $25 or less, I'd still say this boxed set is worth picking up for variant fanatics and packaging hounds.   3 out of 4 figures with notable changes ain't bad, although perhaps doing a non-dirty Moroff or one that had hair with a fairer quality to it - paler white or even milky plastic - would have been a lot more exciting and interesting.   As it stands, get either version of Moroff or both if your budget allows, as each release is packaged with at least one significantly different and therefore worthwhile trooper you can't get anywhere else.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Kohl's, but it's cheaper on Amazon.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,372: May 24, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,371: Imperial Death Trooper (Rogue One, Kohl's)

IMPERIAL DEATH TROOPER Sandy Armor
Rogue One Kohl's Exclusive Gift Set
Item No.:   No. 9605
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, 2 rockets, backpack, 3 more figures with accessories
Action Feature: Rockets launch
Retail: $30-$49.99
Availability: November 2016
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: The elite soldiers of Imperial Intelligence, Death Troopers are encased in specialized stormtrooper armor with a dark, ominous gleam and serve as bodyguards and enforcers for Director Krennic.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Hasbro has been surprisingly generous with the Imperial Death Trooper flavors.   If you're a 3 3/4-inch fan, this is one of four flavors - a redeco of the 2-pack Pao/Imperial Death Trooper [FOTD #2,311] mold.  What's new? Paint.

The 5-jointed figure adds a bunch of sand markings and the silver seems to pop a little more.   The cheek tubes are darker, rather than the bright green of the first release, but the figure stands just the same.  He holds his blaster just the same.  If you're an army-builder and want the full squad of six, you may as well get this one just to keep things varied.  

What really surprised me was that they redecorated his big rocket backpack accessory.  Not only were sandy patches added, but the silver arms and grips for his hands were painted too!  The first release in the 2-pack had black, unpainted grips.   Why go the extra mile?  I have no idea.  The "gift-giver" customer at Kohl's would never notice, and I doubt most collectors would notice either.   I can't imagine there was a board room pitch where someone said "So what's special about this?" and someone said "Distinctive silver hand grips!"  It's unique, and as such an essential buy for the trooper fan.

I can't say the set is a good value at its regular retail price, because $50 for $30 worth of plastic is not a good deal.  For the current going rate on the secondary market orbiting $25 it's a decent buy, particularly if you want and do not have the excellent Moroff and Pao figures in the set.  I wish they could have dropped Pao and just tossed in a Scarif trooper instead, but such is life - for the right price it's worth tracking down this Death Trooper!


Collector's Notes: I got mine from Kohl's, but it's cheaper on Amazon.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,371: May 22, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,370: Stormtrooper Officer (Rogue One, Kohl's)

IMPERIAL STORMTROOPER White Pauldron
Rogue One Kohl's Exclusive Gift Set
Item No.:   No. 9605
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, 3 more figures with accessories
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $30-$49.99
Availability: November 2016
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Stormtroopers are  the faceless legions of soldiers serving the Gaalctic Empire.  Encased in white armor, stormtroopers are loyal Imperials who undergo rigorous training that strips them of any sense of individuality.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary:  Kohl's exclusive sets aren't the most exciting - last year they had bonus exclusive "build a weapon" bits, this year they have figures like this Imperial Stormtrooper with tweaked deco.  In this set (and only in this set) you can get one with a white pauldron, although the exploding chest white pauldron version can be had as part of a Toys R Us exclusive set I still need to write up.  Well, some day.   This particular Stormtrooper is the "made in Vietnam" variant - the same Imperial Stormtrooper [FOTD #2,303] mold used for the pack with Baze Malbus - so you know what to expect there.

The only real change from the two-pack release is the pauldron - it's white here.  It was orange with Baze.  The figure itself looks sharp with 5 points of articulation and the revised Rogue One blaster with the extra greeblies.   He has no problems standing or holding his gun, but I do have a problem with the weird haggling that is buying a toy at Kohl's.  You may know this, but the sticker price is $49.99.  On almost any given day, pretty much everything is on sale at this retailer.  Maybe 5%, maybe 15% - and maybe there's a $10 off $50 coupon, and so on.  You can get it down pretty cheap if you didn't want for clearance, I paid $23.90 last November - and I heard clearance prices were even lower than that.  So when buying anything there, come armed with a knowledge of sales and coupons.

If you're a fiend for trooper variants, this is a pretty significant one.  If you aren't, you can/should skip this one.   I see it as essential and unique, but it's possible you just made one with some white paint.   For $25 or less, it's a fantastic set and a decent deal.  At $15 or less, it's a steal.  At the initial asking price of $49.99, it's a $20 mark-up over the equivalent figures.  Actually, you could get the Moroff/Scarif Stormtrooper and Death Trooper/Pao sets for $30, and an individually carded Stormtrooper for $8, and have $12 left over.  Plus a bonus figure.  It's just not a screamin' deal, is what I'm saying.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Kohl's, but it's cheaper on Amazon.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,370: May 17, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,369: Admiral Raddus (Rogue One)

ADMIRAL RADDUS Projectile Firing
Rogue One   Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. B7072 No. C1973
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, projectile, launcher
Action Feature: Launching rocket
Retail: $7.99
Availability: May 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Admiral Raddus was one of the earliest fleet officers of the rebellion.  When the Galactic Empire invaded, the aquatic world of Mon Cala, Raddus led the Mon Calamari into battle.  (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:  I don't think any species has had its planet renamed as many times as the Mon Calamari. Admiral Raddus now comes from Mon Cala - previously it was known as Dac, Mon Calamari, or just Calamari.   And Ryloth is Ryloth is Ryloth.   I got the pleasure of seeing Admiral Raddus early when I (and those who showed it to me) didn't know what he was - Admiral Ackbar in black?   Could he be an Imperial stooge?  An Episode VIII-era guy we haven't met yet?  Something from Rebels rendered horribly wrong?  I didn't know - but when I first saw the jacketed Poe Dameron I had no idea that's who it was.  So why ask me?

As a kid who was bonkers about Star Wars and sea life, this is one of my favorite figures in recent memory.  Raddus' good points - cool alien, decent articulation, fun gimmick - is why I collect action figures in the first place. This figure is a lot like the Admiral Ackbar from last year.  The figure has an opening mouth, with a better execution and superior paint job. The jointing is really top-notch, but the neck doesn't seem to turn.  Both the lower and upper head parts seem to move just fine, with arms and legs that swivel about as well as any figure from this line manages.  The legs swing forward, but not at that perfect 90-degree angle you want - which, if you ask me, sort of misses the point of this kind of figure.  If it's a toy figure, it should behave as one - thankfully Hasbro sculpted the hand to grip his nifty oversized blaster pistol. 

The rocket launcher can be held in his hand, serving more as a cane or a tripod than as a fun accessory. Gravity will not allow him to stand with it,  plus launching it is sort of tricky - if you want Raddus to fire the gun himself while it's in his hands, it's a nuisance. It's not fun.  this is one of those things I really would like to have a longer discussion about with someone at Hasbro because I have to assume there's some reason they do this and I'm not a kid so I don't get it.  I'd want the figure to be able to stand with the gun and launch it from his hand, without having to carefully hold the figure, the gun, and then flick the rocket just-so to get it to move.  It's a nice caricature of the smaller blaster, but I just don't dig it since it doesn't feel like it makes Raddus better.   If I could've had a $6 figure without it, I'd much rather have had that.   Or a second, non-firing weapon. Or a stand.  Or a funny helmet.

Raddus himself is worth the effort to get.  I love the light skin fade, giving him a look not entirely unlike a shark.   The eyes aren't quite as fishy as Ackbar, but they're gold and nice. The interior of the mouth is painted nicely, and the hands are a little more human than some other takes - there are no suction cups here.  The figure's body is hollow, which you'll sense immediately.  It feels a little bit cheaper, but also less top-heavy, so I'm all for this decision.  The sculpted detail is on par with other figures - wrinkly, sharp.  The figure has many pockets and easy-to-miss details like ribbed horizontal designs on the back of his knees.  They really did a nice job with the hip joints too - the vest covers them in part, with rounded haunches so he doesn't have strange, squared-off butt chunks when seated.  If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, you may  have missed the ReAction figures.

Hasbro has been stingy, Scrooge-like, with new aliens and droids since the Disney takeover.  Obnoxiously so.   This is why I'm so utterly delighted to have this figure, even if he's just a black take on Admiral Ackbar.  I eagerly await his pale white crew, and anything else they feel like doing from the background of Rogue One.   If you haven't seen Star Wars Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Dictionary you should get it.  You'll scream.  It's so jam-packed with amazing aliens and pilots and droids that you will be furious the Rogue One line basically crapped out at three waves and three figures.   I'm so happy we got Raddus, especially if he represents the last weird alien or Rebel leader from the movie.  I want more - I'll always want more - but I'd be sad if we never got Raddus.  Fan's Choice doesn't exactly seem to be going the way I'd prefer for the last few rounds, what with the non-movie stuff winning, so I'll just hug my movie figures a little bit harder.  I'm happy you're happy, and I hope you're happy with this one if you find one.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,369: May 15, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,358: Imperial Hovertank Pilot (Rogue One Line Look)

IMPERIAL HOVERTANK PILOT Jedha Revolt
Rogue One   Jedha Revolt Set
Item No.: Asst. B7072 No. C1231
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster rifle, 3 other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: March 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Imperial combat drivers operate the Empire's arsenal of armored repulsor vehicles, from troop transports to heavily armed hovertanks.  Combat drivers are lightly armored, relying instead on the thick skin of their vehicles to protect them in battle.  (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: Tanks for the pilot!  Actually, no tanks - just pilot.   Rogue One gave us a short line with great designs that hopefully Hasbro will revisit and/or Disney will revisit with future movies. Imperial Hovertank Pilot figures provoke collectors to ask "So where't the tank?"  It's kind of funny - it used to be the other way.   We'd get an X-Wing, TIE Fighter, AT-ST, and so on and it'd be years until the pilot figure came out.  If we were lucky, just one year - figures and pilots hitting at the same time were something of a rarity unless it was a pack-in or a prequel trilogy thing.

The Hovertank pilot is interesting in that it shows how much mileage Disney (and Hasbro) got out of the design - you can tell the body, arms, and legs are largely shared with the Scarif Shoretroopers and AT-ACT drivers.  The belts are tweaked, the helmets are changed, the deco is different... but the body is largely the same.  All of the joints move freely - unlike certain other pilot figures I could name - and it seems to share parts with the single Shoretrooper.  I might be wrong.  I love how the design doesn't have a belt to hinder hip movement, because I really do need all the parts to swivel freely to be happy in life.  Otherwise, the cutting begins.   The figure's helmet is probably my least favorite from Rogue One because it has a lot in common with the helmets I didn't like from The Force Awakens.     There's no real "face," just a white slope with a slit for the eyes.  I like a hint of a mouth or a nose, but that's not on Hasbro.  The figure seems to be a pretty close match to the movie with a black bodysuit, white armor, and a silver buckle on each shoulder.  I was surprised to see Hasbro even painted the vents on the back - nicely done!

This is a weird set, and this is a strange choice of figure for that set.  I'd love to see more, and a vehicle, so people could troop build at a sensible price.  The other figures in the box are good, and I absolutely love the painting on the package.  It's a great set for kids or collectors in terms of character selection, because you get good guys,  bad guys, troopers, heroes, villains, and whatever it was Forest Whitaker is doing.  I'd have been fine if Hasbro tossed in a normal Stormtrooper or Shoretrooper in the set instead, but hey - I'll take something new.  It's a nice design that can stand or sit easily, and he can hold his blaster.  If you're sitting there griping about elbow joints, you know and I know that's not the kind of figure Hasbro set out to make.  Taken for what it is, Hasbro ticked all the boxes and delivered one of its better pilot figures in the last few years.   If you think you might want this set just for this figure, I'd say it's worth tracking down.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,358: April 5, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,356: Saw Gerrera (Rogue One Line Look)

SAW GERRERA Jedha Revolt
Rogue One   Jedha Revolt Set
Item No.: Asst. B7072 No. C1231
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Staff, pistol, 3 other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: March 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: A battered veteran of the Clone Wars as well as the ongoing rebellion against the Empire, Saw Gerrera leads a band of Rebel extremists.  Saw has lost much in his decades of combat, but occasional flashes of the charismatic and caring man he once was shine through his calloused exterior.  Gerrera is bunkered on the ancient world of Jedha, coordinating a prolonged insurgency against the Imperial occupation.  Saw's ailing health has not withered his resolve to fight.  (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: Hey, something new!  Rogue One brings Saw Gerrera to life now that the main line is about over.  If you saw the movie as well as his animated appearances, he's an interesting character with a distinctive way of speaking - in the movie.  His cartoon appearances were perfectly nice, but his accent and very weary delivery is something that the likes of SNL picked up on quickly.   This was a distinctive voice if ever there was one, with a pretty fantastic character design based on one of two looks from the movie.  Funko picked one that didn't see much use, Hasbro lucked in to the hairy not-quite-Darth Vader cyborg pirate look.  This is a good one.

Saw's outfit is pretty great - it's true to the movie, but I'm still left wondering why a man sealed in armor, who has lost a foot, who can barely breathe, has decided to keep a pretty nice cape on his back.  Capes make little sense, but it would seem they're still very popular even in the new era of movies.   The patten on the back is painted nicely, and the sculpting is wonderful.  The same can be said about the green armor, which has a good amount of sculpted detail but minimal painted detail.  His costume has buckles and rings, none of which are painted in a color to set them apart from the fabric.  Given the size this is mostly OK, because you'll also note lots of paint on his remaining flesh leg with a busted-up sandal and what appears to be some sort of cuffs. I love that they kept the rubbery breathing tubes and mask, although it'd have been great if it were in clear plastic*  or had a mask that you could move to his face.  It's pegged in place, so it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.  I love how the head and hair turned out - it's grizzled with a hint of one eye being weakened thanks to his active lifestyle.  I assume a 6-inch scale one would have more grey in his hair and a more scarred-up face... but there isn't one.

While I would have loved to see more paint on this figure, what we got is pretty good for the current crop of 3 3/4-inch figures.  The blaster fits in his hand or holster, and the cane fits in his hand without a problem.  There are a lot of painted details on the upper body, and the coloring is very distinctive.  Star Wars doesn't have a lot of greens.  I love how this figure turned out, and that we even got him in the first place.  I'd love to see what a deluxe version might look like some day, but for the time being I'm very happy to have this one.   I don't assume we'd ever see another one from Rogue One, so I hope you all bought this one while the getting was good.  I don't see a lot of him in stores and he's been out for nearly a month, so get while the getting is good.

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

* - Maybe not. Clear rubbery plastic is prone to discoloration.  As a wise man once said, Star Wars fans are never happy.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,356: March 30, 2017

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,355: Edrio Two Tubes (Rogue One Line Look)

EDRIO TWO TUBES Jedha Revolt
Rogue One   Jedha Revolt Set
Item No.: Asst. B7072 No. C1231
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rifle, 3 other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: March 2017
Appearances: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Edrio Two Tubes is a mercenary pilot who flies alongside his eggmate, Benthic.  They share the nickname derived from the breathing apparatus that allows Tognath physiology to process oxygen atmospheres.  Edrio's native world of Yar Tonga was conquered and occupied by the Empire, forcing him to flee as a refugee.  With a desire to strike back at the Empire, Edrio and Benthic have allied with Saw Gerrera's movement on Jedha.  (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: Hey, something new!  Rogue One has some life left in it with Edrio Two Tubes.  This alien was pretty cool in the movie, bringing back some of what was missing from some of the aliens in the last movie - that is, vaguely recycled bits.   The chest breathing gizmo greatly resembles that of a Rebel pilot, and we see a bit more exposed skin than we got out of some of the aliens from the last movie.  It's cool to see a head - or at least part of it.  He has five points of articulation, which you probably knew, all of which move surprisingly well.  The legs have no problems swinging forward.

I'm really fond of the sculpting and deco here.  If you get really close to the head and squint, there's a fantastic texture that's very subtle.  The outfit is similarly detailed, with lots of folds and creasing giving some sense of movement and life.  To top it all off is a nice wash, bringing some authentic desert grime to the figure - just the way you like it.  I love the boots, I love the gloves, everything about the figure itself came through pretty much perfectly except for the tubes and rifle.  Why?  They're clean.  It sort of stands out on an otherwise outstanding example of Hasbro's 3 3/4-inch craftsmanship. There are all kinds of stitches on the clothing, with small details sculpted in the back of the head too.   Hasbro didn't skimp on the small stuff, as there's a perfectly textured scarf (I think it's a scarf) around the neck painted a different shade of brown.  Everything here looks sharp, but it's not dark enough.  I need to rewatch the movie to confirm if it's accurate, because at Comic-Con there was a Two Tubes costume that had the jacket identified as Benthic's (in the DK Star Wars Rogue One The Ultimate Visual Guide), with the breathing gizmo labeled as Edrio.  If we assume the book is correct, the figure is good - it could just stand to be a bit darker.

If you want a Two Tubes  brother, you've got one choice - and Hasbro did a bang-up job with it.  It could be more dirty, or a shade darker, but from most reference it would appear that the costume and gun are correct.  This is what you generally want... perhaps Hasbro will reissue it with slightly different deco down the road.  The way things are going I'm not optimistic we'll ever see his brother.  After all, we got Ellorrs Madak in 2001.  We still haven't seen Baniss Keeg.  We got Pax Bonkik in 2007, and we have yet to see a figure marketed as Trax Bonkik.  It's a conspiracy!

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,355: March 28, 2017