Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 3,341: DD-BD (Droid Factory, Carded)

DD-BD New Mold, New Silhouette
Star Wars Droid Depot
Item No.: ???
Manufacturer: Disney
Number: n/a
Includes: Collector card, TC-332 left arm
Action Feature: Removable dome
Retail: $19.99
Availability: April 2026
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: All different types of droids populate the Star Wars galaxy. Each droid is different and has their own unique personality and colors. This droid can be found in the mining operations control center of Kessel. Join DD-BD on their adventures throughout the galaxy. May the Force be with you... and your Droids! (Taken from the packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: The most exciting Star Wars figures are new ones. I have no snark for DD-BD, a brand-new admintech droid, from a brand-new mold, that doesn't look like anything else we've bought. Sure, the feet are not unlike a Power Droid, and yes, his design seems not unlike an Astromech. The figure stands about 3-inches tall, is cast mostly in white, and has silver, grey, and red painted elements. Is it as filthy as the photo or the movie design? No, they left off the grime but did keep a little weathering. It's very good.

My main complaint about The Vintage Collection has been fan acceptance of things like articulation over innovation, or fresh characters. I have no doubt fans will gripe that DD-BD has but only 3 points of articulation. The dome, and both legs, are capable of movement. And that's it. The dome swivels, and each leg can swing forward and backward. You can pop the dome off, but it doesn't swap particularly well with R2-units. Functionally, it's on par with anything you could've expected from the 1978-1998 Kenner reign with better sculpting and deco.

There isn't a lot of paint, but it's precise and generally crisp. Under the dome are a bunch of silver greeblies - nothing special here, nothing bad either. Outside, you have perfect rectangular red panels. Cables are painted silver or in a gunmetal gray. There is a very, very, very subtle amount of gray "weathering" around some of the panels that's hard to see in normal ambient lighting. The painted bolts and projectors look great, and the silver cap on his head has a hole in it for hats. I just put the rabbit ears on top, and they fit well. Glorious.

On the day this came in the mail, I overheard a fan in a collector shop railing against "bad figures" that don't have ankle joints. That just rankles me to no end. When it comes to troopers, or acrobatic heroes? I want a lot of articulation. When it comes to droids, or aliens that stand in one place or sit on a barstool? Just charge me a fair price for the quality of figure that was manufactured. I won't argue that $19.99 (plus $10 shipping, plus tax) is an eye-wateringly high price to pay for this figure. But, it's also new, and interesting, and unlike anything else I've bought from Hasbro, Kenner, or Disney over the past nearly five decades. If I'm going to pay a premium for something, it's going to be this.

I don't dislike super-articulated figures but I do loathe being bored. I have a lot of great figures that make me happy, and this build-a-TC-332 program is about 50% "cool" and 50% "UGH." I don't need another pink droid, or B2-EMO, or R5-K6. But I'm happy to buy CU-28, DD-BD, and soon R4-6D0. (BDX set, jury's still out.) If Disney - and hopefully Hasbro - are willing to innovate and bring us new things... REAL new things, not just "this guy you have, with ankles" I hope they continue to be rewarded with quick sell-throughs and hopefully reruns. Even if you have an axe to grind with the Disney era, you can't deny the creature and droid work in the current era of TV and movies hasn't been good. We used to rely on toys and guide books and trading cards to show off this amazing craftsmanship, but Disney seems to be tightening the reigns there. Thank goodness we got this guy, and I wouldn't be surprised if this winds up being my favorite figure of 2026. Not that Chalmun or Arleil Schous won't be good, but it's superbly rare that we get a completely new body type in this line - and the Wookiee uses Chewbacca parts, and Arleil stole Jod Na Nawood's pants. If you have the means, and you love droids, go get DD-BD and then tell Hasbro you also want more figures like this, too, lest Disney steal their lunch money.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Shop Disney. It sold out online within 90 minutes, so check theme parks for availability.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 3,341: April 30, 2026

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,916: Imperial Stormtrooper with Pauldron (The Vintage Collection)

STORMTROOPER with Pauldron (4-pack)
The Vintage Collection Hasbro Pulse / Shop Disney Exclusive
Item No.: No. F5321
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 3 more Stormtroopers, 2 blasters
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $44.99
Availability: January 2022
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, The Mandalorian

Bio: Stormtroopers are elite shock troops fanatically loyal to the Empire and impossible to sway from the Imperial cause. They wear imposing white armor. (Taken from Hasbro Pulse. There is no bio on the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I went ahead and ordered this box of four Stormtroopers because this one was different than the other ones I had. You see, this one has an orange pauldron - but otherwise it's the same as the 2019 Imperial Stormtrooper [FOTD #2,598]. This is to say, it's more production of the best version of the trooper we've seen released thus far, but what may be a slightly better one is up for Walmart's future exclusivity. But for now? This is good.

Four of this figure is packed in a box - one has a pauldron, three do not. This one has iffy mouth paint on my sample, but it's otherwise a pretty great trooper. Check out the articulation - it's good! He can move well. The wrists have extra joints, he can hold his blasters, the soles of his shoes are painted, and you pretty much get everything you could want on a clean white Stormtrooper other than a holster or even more gear. It meets all requirements, and it's nice to have a slightly different trooper to add to your Disney-era armies.

The classic Stormtrooper blaster has the added extra scope thing on all the Disney-era blasters, but lacks the painted silver element of the previous single-carded trooper. It's just black. The longer rifle is just a longer rifle - perfectly good, and a nice bonus.

If you want more Stormtroopers, and they become available again, you should buy this set. Even if you don't like the pauldron, you can pop it off - but I like it. Back in the 1990s, Kenner customizers would make Sandtroopers with just the pad - usually they have more ammo pouches and backpacks in the films, but in the era of VHS and little to know reference materials, most fans didn't think to build them out. As such, this is sort of retro, but more accurately, this is how some troopers looked on Rebels and subsequent OT-era movies. Minus the lenses, which tend to be known to be green now, and this one is black. As such, if you're looking for the best version of the Stormtrooper as you may remember it, this is probably it. But if you have that recent The Vintage Collection figure and don't care if you missed a shoulder pad, then you can skip it. I just assume everyone wants more troopers so I'd nudge you to get it if life permits.

Collector's Notes: I got mine at Hasbro Pulse. As of my writing this, it's sold out, but it's been available and not available several times over the past year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,916: April 14, 2022

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,834: Enfys Nest (The Vintage Collection)

ENFYS NEST Easy for you to say
The Vintage Collection Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. E0370 No. E1645
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #125
Includes: Electroripper staff, wrist blades
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99
Availability: August 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Enfys Nest was a human female resistance fighter who led the Cloud-Riders, a band of pirates and rebel group that fought against the crime syndicate, Crimson Dawn. (Stolen from Wookieepedia. Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: A few months after a vehicle pack-in figure ($20 for the bike and the figure), we got a The Vintage Collection take on Enfys Nest! The good news: it's an improvement. The bad news - it doesn't have a removable helmet so you can see the character's face, so it's something of a lateral move. The earlier release was good enough to pilot a bike, so this new one has other positive qualities. The lined cape is very cool, the deco is improved, and of course you'll get more than 25 points of articulation.

When you pick up the TVC release, it's easy to see more color in the lined cape, the chest armor, and even on the boots. Added red stripes around the ankles and a slightly more off-white finish give it a look slightly closer to the movie. It's not perfect, but it's good for a figure that was in production prior to the release of its very troubled movie. And it feels rushed.

She has no problems holding her spear, but I'm not getting great poses out of the figure. The fanning-out gauntlet parts fall off with minimal provocation, which I dislike. They're also missing the stripes that appear on the middle of the feathery bits. The helmet deco could benefit greatly from a total repaint, but other than that, it's a pretty decent looking figure to live in a cardback or to stand on a shelf. The cloth cape is praiseworthy, but I don't think that this kind of hip articulation (or indeed, the articulation of these figures on the whole) lend themselves to being good toys. Compared to the 5POA figures - which just work - this one requires a lot of fidgeting, so if your idea of an ideal figural interaction is trying to find its center of gravity without knocking off any pieces, you're going to love it.

In an alternate timeline we would've had her appear in a Solo sequel or streaming series by now - heck, maybe she will reappear as the actress was also on Disney's payroll still for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier - but I wouldn't be stunned if we never saw another 3 3/4-inch figure of this character. This figure stood on my desk for months because I struggled to find something interesting to say about it. It looks good, but it's not perfect. It has a lot of articulation, but it ultimately doesn't serve the figure in a fun or interesting way. It remains the better of the Enfys Nest figures in this size, but again I would absolutely love to see Hasbro revisit this movie in a Kenner style at some point. (Or every movie, with maybe 12-20 figures per, would be a hoot.) She costs a bit more than she did three years ago, but given how absolutely everything has been skyrocketing you may find it worthwhile just buying her at a reasonable small mark-up until/unless she gets a return to the market.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,834: July 1, 2021

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,813: Han Solo (6-Inch Value Figure, Solo: A Star Wars Story Line Look)

HAN SOLO Better Late than Never?
Solo: A Star Wars Story "Dollar Store" 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3946 No. E1446
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: n/a
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.00

 
Availability: Unknown - I first saw a production sample in a board room in September of 2018, the first sightings seemed to be around December 2020, I found it in April 2021 Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story Bio: Han Solo reinvents himself after leaving behind his old life, growing comfortable traveling with law-benders and scoundrels. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: This figure was a White Whale for me for over two years. This Han Solo from Solo: A Star Wars Story has a manufacture date stamp of 81061, meaning he was likely stamped out in April of 2018 - I found it at a Five Below in April of 2021. To my knowledge this particular Han figure didn't ship to food or drug stores in the USA, but other waves did - a lot of The Last Jedi stuff shipped to grocery stores near me for years. I mentioned in Q&A that I was still vexed by not seeing this figure anywhere, and then someone said "Oh our Five Below got some" - so I ran out to mine, and found one. I'm slipping in my old age, or because COVID keeps me from doing the full-on big toy runs with obsessive repetition like I used to do. I got this 6-inch figure with 4 points of articulation for a mere five bucks. The Black Series figure looks similar, with more articulation, a removable blaster, great face paint... really you've got no reason to get the simple 6-inch one unless you're in to this sort of thing. And I am.

I am not great with faces sometimes - but I don't think this figure was sculpted with Alden Ehrenreich in mind. It could just be the lack of deco and odd positioning of the eyes and eyebrows, because it looks a little bit like Han Solo - but not necessarily like the actor. In many respects it looks like an alternate realistic take on a 1980s Kenner sculpt, plausibly a real person but not the person we had in mind. Given the lead time for product, it's also possible (and speculated) that Disney's consumer product division may have nudged the merchandise designs to look a little bit less like the actor - just in case he was recast. Is it true? They'll never admit it, so it doesn't matter. But it's a face that doesn't scream "I'm Hobie Doyle" - but it's close enough that kids would probably be OK with it if they ever saw it. And I doubt American kids did until somewhat recently.

The figure's pose has a great swagger to it, from the blaster arm with his fingers wrapped around the grip, to his other hand looking like oh-so-many old Han Solo publicity stills with the fingers looking like they're almost thinking. The costume is nearly perfect, matching The Black Series figure in almost every way. The bloodstripes are on the pants, the silver pin has the red dot, the only thing missing are the silver rivets on his holster. In many respects, this figure is a great example of how good of a figure Hasbro can make for five bucks, while the $20-$23 collector figures may be overly complicated for what a fan may need. (Obviously, fans will always ask for more articulation - there's no satisfying that demand.)

Not finding this figure in stores always bugged me - and now I have to find Chewbacca - so I'm glad to have crossed one more white whale off my hunting list. He stands well, and he looks fine. I'm sure the head could be a tiny bit better, but I've also got The Black Series figure and this whole 6-inch line is more of a fun, cheap curiosity than a definitive collection of plastic. Heck, Hasbro and Disney seemingly completely skipped The Rise of Skywalker for the format, meaning they are smart because I just can't seem to bring myself to say much nice about that film. If you see this one for five bones, I'd suggest buying it - unless you've got The Black Series figure already. Toys like this are fascinating in that you can see what you can make on a diminished budget, but the dubious decision to focus the entire line squarely at adult collectors - and their increasing wallets as the Star Wars generation gets older - means that super-affordable kid-fodder like this turned out to be uncharacteristically scarce. Such is life.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Five Below, thank you Jim for the tip!

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,813: May 13, 2021

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,715: Moloch (The Black Series 6-Inch)

MOLOCH Wormie
The Black Series Target Exclusive 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: No. E2821
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #n/a
Includes: Mask, blaster, staff
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $29.99
Availability: July 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio:  Moloch wallows in authority over the lesser thieves of his gang.  Like all White Worms, Moloch is very sensitive to natural light and must wear special protective gear when outside his dank lair.   (Taken from Hasbro's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: I sat on Moloch for about two years.  It's been on a shelf that I could see whenever I turned my head for two years.  I really liked the movie, and the 3 3/4-inch figure, but for whatever reason I just let this one sit around.  Target also hung on to this figure far, far past its expiration date.  The good news is that means you can get it cheap if you want one - and you probably should.  It's a good figure for $20, but for $30 there's not a lot to plus him up.

While the figure's accessory count is great and the paint applications are marvelous, the figure itself is a glorified salt shaker.   From the waist on up, it's the best thing you can ever want - the arm joints are nice and smooth. The mask pops off and you can make the worm head inside look up and down and to the sides, plus it's gorgeous.  The Solo aliens are extra-Star Wars-y compared to a lot of the other Disney-era films, and this one has Henson-ian hints with a design that doesn't seem entirely removed from The Dark Crystal.   You can pull off his visor and pull down his mask.  The blaster fits in the holster.  And of course, he can hold the staff.  Everything looks good, is painted well, and moves nicely.

Unfortunately due to his robes and the design being a worm man, there's nothing going on below the waist.  I love the wormy detail with the little legs visible when you flip it over, but it doesn't feel as robust as Grievous or the Gamorrean Guard figures.   The good news is that it stands perfectly because it's basically a statue with articulation on the arms and neck.  This is also the bad news.  With a good sense of heft and really good detail on the alien head, it's hard to knock this one too much.  Other than, you know, not being something people seemed to want.

I assume we got "Moloch" because the name sounded like Indiana Jones' nemesis "Belloq," but I didn't write the script.  As the only Grindalid we got - and are likely to get - I'd say it's worth your while.  He fits right in with Jabba the Hutt, who is lacking in henchmen.  Moloch is good diorama filler and a high-quality design, so unless you  just hate him, you should probably buy one.   I wish we got Solo sequels so we could see him again.


Collector's Notes: I got mine from Target. 

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,715: August 11, 2020

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,599: Lando Calrissian (The Vintage Collection)

LANDO CALRISSIAN (Gaiden)
The Vintage Collection Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. E0370  No. E4061
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #139
Includes: Blaster, scarf, cape
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.99
Availability: May 2019
Appearances: Solo

Bio: Lando Calrissian was a human male smuggler, gambler, and card player who became Baron Administrator of Cloud City and, later, a general in the Rebel Alliance.  (Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)

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 was a little surprised to see Lando Calrissian in this line, especially a full year and two other figures after the movie came and went.  Wearing the same outfit as the other figures - one that has a lot of similarities of what we'll see in The Rise of Skywalker - I would almost complain that it's unnecessary.  However, as usual, Hasbro crams in a lot of improvements and for that reason you'll want to replace your Force Link 2.0 version with this one.

This time around Lando's blaster has the added muzzle attached, and it's not removable like on the 6-inch version.  Lando's scarf and cape are two separate pieces, and the holster is sculpted and molded separately from the body.   He's not going to sit with the blaster in his holster.  Hasbro did a nice job painting the scarf and the liner of the cape, with a little painted detail in the blaster to boot.  Short of an alternate blaster without the muzzle, there's not much else I would do to add to this figure.

The figure itself is really good.  You get articulated ankles, bend-and-swivel wrists, the double-jointed neck, and yes, the thigh cut are all here.  The weird ab joint is also here sadly, as I assume Hasbro doesn't like articulation being hidden at the belt for some reason.  I don't get it, myself, the belt seems to be the perfect place for a joint.  Donald Glover Lando's head is a gem, with a great sculpt and just a smidgen more paint. He seems to have a bit much on his forehead if you get too close, but at a distance you get a decent amount of detailing.

Hasbro more or less nailed this one.  There's a hip/holster compatibility issue that comes and goes over the years, but otherwise it's pretty great.  Obviously, grab it if you see it at a fair price as it's the best young Lando figure Hasbro has ever done.  It may also be the best Lando figure Hasbro has ever done.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,599: July 2, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,584: Han Solo (Mimban, The Black Series 6-Inch)

HAN SOLO (Mimban)
The Force Awakens The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. E4069
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #78
Includes: Cape, helmet, goggles, blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: March 2019
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: After getting kicked out of the Imperial Academy, Han Solo found himself dumped on Mimban as a mudtrooper.  While there, Han met an Imperial prisoner named Chewbacca in an encounter that would change his life. (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 am kind of amazed by how good the Solo: A Star Wars story figures mostly were.   None of them (save of the 3 3/4-inch Han heads) seemed particularly off, and this particular Han Solo - most likely just my sample - has a bum elbow.  I can't get the right elbow to bend.  I'm not crazy about that, but assuming it's just mine?  This is a very nice figure. I'm kind of amazed we got this figure given how most movies are ignored a year after their theatrical release, and I'm probably going to try to do some surgery on that elbow to see if it helps.  Hasbro did a great job with this one, and so far it seems to be one of their better overall figures from the new movies.  You get great paint, an awesome costume, a wonderful and almost eerie likeness, plus tons of removable costume elements.  Short of two bending elbows, what else could you ask for?

I like how Hasbro made it so it can do double duty as Han or a generic trooper.  The head looks a lot more like Alden Ehrenreich thanks to the face paint,  which looks darker but not dirtier.   The armor is covered in grime, with painted gloves and beat-up armor.  Articulation is more or less par for the course, and you can even have him pulling down his removable mask.

As accessories go, this one is bonkers.  The figure's armor has hose hook-ups for the face mask. You can put his helmet on, and the goggles can be on the helmet or over the eyes.  The blaster looks great too, but there's no holster or anything special for it.  On top of all of that, the cape can drape over buckles on the shoulders. 

Obviously, get one or two if you have the chance.  It's a nice trooper figure and I don't know if Hasbro will crank out repaints or not.  I hope they give it some thought. 

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,584: May 9, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,583: Dryden Vos (The Black Series 6-Inch)

DRYDEN VOS 6-Inch Debut
The Force Awakens The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. E4070
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #79
Includes: Cape/coat, bladed weapons
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: March 2019
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: The public face of the Crimson Dawn rime syndicate, Dryden Vos is a contradiction: a pitiless enforcer known as a gangster of wealth and taste.  His good manners shouldn't be mistaken for weakness, though: he can change from generous host to ruthless killer in a moment. (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 time goes on, we get more and more 6-inch figures without a counterpart in the 3 3/4-inch line. I find this vexing, because I don't have that cool General Leia or a red Stormtrooper in the regular, normal size.  Now I don't have Dryden Vos either - and it's a great figure!

This taller-than-usual figure has Paul Bettany in his fancy suit.  It's a good design, as you get something that looks like an otherworldly suit with a space bola tie.  The cape/jacket wraps around the figure with an ornament hanging in front of the chest, with a small strap that can tuck in under the right breast - but does not stay put. The cloth textures are striking, the pants in particular have tiny sculpted stripes in them and they look great.   I love how the pants fall at the shoes, and the shoes look great too.  There's even a bracelet on the right wrist, a subtle thing you  barely even notice at first.  The hands easily fit in his bladed weapons, and articulation is about as good as we get these days.

What's really notable is the human likeness is fantastic - this looks a lot like our actor, complete with color-change scars and a staple in his head.   The hair might be a little paler than needed, but figures tend to look better with a bit of exaggeration in color.    While mine had a couple of unwanted specs of paint (just like Padme), it otherwise looks great.   Top-to-bottom, this is a fantastic figure - a pity it's from a movie most fans haven't seen for some weird reason.  Assuming you are the kind of fan that likes all the movies, you're going to like this figure.  It'll go great with your Marvel Legends Vision toys.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,583: May 7, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,570: Stormtrooper (Mimban, The Vintage Collection)

STORMTROOPER (Mimban)
The Vintage Collection Walmart Exclusive Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. E0370  No. E2814
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #123
Includes: Blaster rifle, blaster pistol
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $12.86
Availability: Online January 2019, retail February 2019
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Stormtroopers were the assault/policing troops of the Galactic Empire. (Stolen from Wookieepedia.  Packaging has no bio.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

Availability:  Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: The Vintage Collection is a vexing thing.  It's plagued with reruns and characters the target collector market doesn't necessarily want, but when they do a good figure it's perfect.  After Klaatu and Yak Face, we now have the amazingly good Stormtrooper (Mimban), a hard-to-find Walmart exclusive that seems to be an entirely new sculpt.  It has thigh swivels!  It has bend-and-swivel wrists!  It has two weapons and a cape!   The muddy deco is really sharp, with splatters all over and darker mud on the shoes.   While the soles aren't black, I don't think anyone will notice.  Painted details on the helmet - complete with visor - all look superb.

Unlike other 3 3/4-inch Mimban Stormtroopers, this one has all the important landmarks on the helmet painted.  The little flourishes on the sides and back are all filled in, as are the vents on the cheek tube region.   I can't complain about the range of movement - he can stand and sit well, and even some weird, squatty action poses all had him standing without a problem.  The joints are nice and tight, and this figure is one of Hasbro's best Imperial troopers.  I would buy more, but I only saw one, and the lack of Empire-specific large vehicles and playsets has slowly put the brakes on my army building.   With the Barge I'm kind of questioning what the future might look like, but the opportunity to deploy a large Mimban population seems unlikely.

This is the best version of Hasbro's filthiest trooper.  The 6-inch one is nice, but I really like this one a lot more - it's just such a wonderful mess with a great cape.   I have had some difficulty getting both hands around the big rifle, but that's not going to stop me from telling you that this is the absolute best overall version of a Stormtrooper we've ever had at this scale.  A plain white one will be a surefire hit, or rather, it would be if you were able to find it and buy it when the time comes. Hopefully we'll see an Imperial installation requiring these guys in the future - they deserve an excuse to be bought en masse.   Nicely done, Hasbro.

Collector's Notes: I got mine from Walmart after going out for burgers.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,570: March 21, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,565: Imperial Patrol Trooper (The Black Series 6-Inch)

IMPERIAL PATROL TROOPER Debut
The Force Awakens The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. E1216
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #72
Includes: Pistol, holstered baton
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: As the Empire reinforces its hold on worlds across the galaxy, local defense forces are supplemented - and eventually completely replaced - with Imperial Stormtroopers.  To cover distances across sprawling settlements and cities, Patrol Stormtoopers police the streets and alleys aboard swift interceptor speeder bikes. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo lab.

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

Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Commentary: The nonlinear nature of Star Wars narratives can be fun and vexing.  The Imperial Patrol Trooper takes cues from the entire saga to date, or at least, its troopers.  The helmet is similar to a 1977 Stormtrooper, but with the combined visor of the 2005 Clone Trooper and the forehead visor of the 2016 Scarif Stormtrooper.  The body lokos like a mutation of the 1983 Bike Scout, with gloves painted like First Order 2015 troopers - note the white finger and palms - and legs like the aforementioned 2016 Scarif Stormtroopers.  It's a weird amalgamation of numerous kinds of cannon fodder, which is also interesting because the Empire's armored meat for the grinder tends to be pretty uniform.

29 points of articulation and smart decisions like a soft codpiece mean this figure could straddle a bike! There isn't one. But he could!  I had a lot of fun posing him on my desk with his nicely-painted scout trooper blaster, but even more fun with the dippy baton. At about 1-inch long (meaning "real life" would be about 12-inches) it's roughly the size of a ruler and about as frightening.  It's this dumb little stick, and now he's going to fling it at you or something.  It'll bonk you on the head. "Ow!" you'll say to the faceless enforcer of the Emperor's fascist regime.  "Oh, uh, sorry pal," he'll say.  "Look, I don't have a stun blaster and I threw my only stick at your head, could you just, like, come quietly?" 

We didn't see it in action on-screen, but I imagine it would be deployed in a scene much like that.  I appreciate Hasbro made it a removable, as opposed to just a chunk of the belt.  It does something - it gives the figure more personality.   The only thing I dislike about the figure is we didn't get his bike. Enfys Nest got hers, but this one might have provided a better seller to army builders.  Such is life.  It's a cool trooper, so go get it - and if it shows up at Celebration or a Comic-Con with a bike, go buy it again.   While it breaks absolutely no new ground, it's top-to-bottom exactly as good as it could and indeed probably should be.  Add your own weathering, and buy a bunch.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,565: March 5, 2019

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,564: Rio Durant (Solo: A Star Wars Story line look)

RIO DURANT Debut
The Force Awakens The Black Series 6-Inch Figure
Item No.: Asst. B3834 No. E2793
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #77
Includes: Goggles, rifle, holstered blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: October 2018
Appearances: Solo: A Star Wars Story

Bio: Rio Durant has carried out dangerous operations alongside the scoundrel Tobias Beckett for years.  The good-natured Ardennian pilot is up for any challenge, not unlike his young counterpart Han Solo. (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 got a kick out of Rio Durant in Solo.  It's the sort of thing we should be getting more of - weird, colorful aliens with amusing celebrity voices.   He answered the question "What if Rocket Raccoon were nicer, had four arms, and also dead?"   In terms of the movie he wasn't nearly as funny, but the toy offered a lot more for basically the same price.  Having to jam in a lot more parts and pieces costs money, so even though this figure is a smidgen smaller it probably cost Hasbro just as much (or more) to make than a regular-sized figure.

It's OK.  A figure at this size and price point has higher expectations.  Hasbro's $6-$8 6-inch cheap figures are pretty good no matter what - you get a few joints and some paint, and they're exciting.  At $20 or more, you want something really good.  Rio has nearly 4 points of articulation - that's good! But they're a little bulky, and with a smaller figure having four shoulders jammed into the back means you get a slight feeling of bulk back there. The ankles are impressive, as they not only rock but swivel just below the pant leg and also have that front-and-back motion everybody loves.    He even has removable goggles - they can't easily cover his eyes, but it's something.  I'd almost rather they be glued down, just so they don't fall off so easily, but that's me.  Your mileage may vary.

He has a big rifle that fits in his hands nicely, and a smaller pistol crammed in his white holster that's kind of a pain to get out. At first I didn't think it was going to come out, but you can move it around and carefully slide it out at some weird angle that's the kind of bad design we don't normally get from Hasbro. It's particularly surprising given just how well the holster itself is designed - Hasbro nailed it.  There's a strap around his thigh that' actually part of the leg, and the pouch for the blaster is a separate, rubbery piece with a peg that fits in his thigh - allowing you maximum movement range with minimal bunching and hindering of hip movement.  How did Hasbro simultaneously get it right and wrong so well in two opposing directions?

The figure is pretty good - there's not a lot of stunning texture here, but it's a space monkey with four arms and the kind of blue space suit you thought you might get as a toy from Rogue One, but Hasbro let you down.  I like the orange bandolier and the retro computer stuff, and the weathering on the belt is no slouch either.  Hasbro tried a lot of stuff here, and overall they did a good job with a weird design.  I'd like to see what they can do when they figure out a more clever way to cram in those shoulder joints, though.  Recommended if you can find it - especially at (or slightly above) retail price.  Yes, it's that interesting.  It's not necessarily fun, but I wouldn't give mine up.

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

--Adam Pawlus

Day 2,564: February 28, 2019