Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,748: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER and BARC Speeder
The Clone Wars Class I Vehicles
Item No.: Asst. 36576 No. 37745
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Firing rocket launcher, rocket, 2 pistols, 2 rifles, helmet, stand, game card
Action Feature: BARC Speeder has rolling wheels, gun fires a rocket
Retail: $17.99
Availability: January 2011
Appearances: n/a

Bio: A clone trooper rides a BARC speeder during a scouting mission. The speeder is fast and highly maneuverable, making it ideal for almost any environment, from thickly forested planets to parched desert worlds. The trooper carries a rocket launcher in case he encounters any Separatist forces. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: This is an interesting one, from the perspective of a toy junkie. The Clone Trooper is, in some respects, a new figure. Basically it takes the 2011 Vintage Clone Trooper (from Attack of the Clones) and gives it a Revenge of the Sith helmet. This means he has the bend-and-swivel hands, ball-jointed hips, and all that stuff. A better helmet would have been great, but as it is it's pretty good. The sculpt is fantastic for riding bikes like this one, or holding his weapons. Hasbro probably also realized that tying it in with the newer-style Clones on The Clone Wars this year might make it seem fresher than the Attack of the Clones-inspired troopers we've seen so many of since 2008.

So the sculpt is good-- I was a big fan of the 2011 Clone body, even if it isn't perfect for the later Clone armor, it's really good. What amazed me the most about this set was that Hasbro actually tried to make good on the higher price by giving you more stuff. I expected 1 blaster. I got 4, plus a firing rocket launcher. I can live with that. Were the clone released on a single card, he'd be $10 these days. His guns have painted deco on them, which is a nice touch, plus it adds a little more value to an otherwise samey package-- I mean, how many BARC Speeders do we all have by now? 10? More? Tossing in a newer-style figure and extra guns basically make it a desirable purchase, effectively transforming it into an accessory pack of sorts. If you've lost your guns for your other Clone figures, buying this one can right that mistake. To me, that's incentive enough to pick this up-- either for myself, or as a gift. It's different enough to be interesting, although I do think Hasbro is going a little too far with the repackaged vehicles. I understand wanting to rerelease the same ship time and again, but the price increases with it starts to sting. I do appreciate the added accessories though, even if I don't need them it's nice we got something other than a creeping sense of shame that we bought the same bike again.

Collector's Notes: Of the first 4 vehicles in this size class to debut this year, this was my favorite and seems to be the best-seller shortly after launch. Since the figure is distinctive, this makes sense. The others are less enticing, and frankly from the new releases it seems customers are more interested in The Clone Wars than the Phantom Menace stuff. Am I the only one who wouldn't mind seeing the line shift its focus to the TV show (and related things) completely?

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,748 February 24, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,747: Clone Trooper Rys

CLONE TROOPER RYS and Lt. Thire
The Clone Wars Wal-Mart Exclusive Set
Item No.: Asst. 16721 No. 89205
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #1 of 2
Includes: Pistol, rocket, firing rocket launcher, helmet, backpack, Thire figure with accessories
Action Feature: Removable helmet, articulated binocular goggles, firing rocket
Retail: $12.96
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Lieutenant Thire and clone troopers Rys and Jek accompany Yoda to Rugosa, where they are attacked by battle droids. Thire urges Yoda to leave them behind and go to the Rendezvous site alone, but the Jedi refuses to leave anyone behind. When Rys says their situation is dire, Yoda encourages him to find inspiration in his comrades and himself. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: While Thire and Jek made the transition to the basic figure assortment, Clone Trooper Rys remains exclusive to this set-- which debuted at Wal-Mart as an exclusive, but later appeared at Toys R Us for reasons as of yet unknown. (Presumably related to closeouts.) Rys is basically nothing special-- it uses a basic Clone body from 2008, gives it new paint and new accessories, and turns him into one of the three characters from the increasingly folksy debut episode of The Clone Wars. Compared to what would follow, that episode feels incredibly low-stakes-- Asajj Ventress just hangs around and doesn't hide in the shadows and kill, kill, kill? It seems out of character. Anyway.

Rys didn't make a big splash on the series, but he did receive a brief lecture from Yoda showing us a little more of Yoda the Teacher, a character who hasn't been around much since the original trilogy. While he was basically Just Another Clone, he did bring some swell red deco and a nice backpack to the line. As he has the bend-and-swivel wrists plus ankle joints, he's arguably better than most current Clone Troopers... except the current ones have proportions closer to the animation models. So if you like slightly beefier clones, Rys is a good one to get-- these two-packs are good fun and to a good job fleshing out the bulk of the best figures from the beginning of the series. The deco is nice, but that's basically the main reason to buy him-- the mold was reused on other, cheaper figures.

Collector's Notes: These sets sold slowly in 2009 and into 2010, but now people want them. Sometimes it takes a while, but it seems that on the whole The Clone Wars actually has a legit collector following which is, my guess anyway, kids getting older and spending their allowances. Now, he's gonna cost you-- so with that in mind, maybe you ought to buy something else.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,747: February 23, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,746: Han Solo

HAN SOLO First Modern Release
Power of the Force Collection
Item No.: Asst. 69570 No. 69577
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Kenner
Includes: Blaster, Heavy Assault Rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: July/August 1995
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Han Solo's extarordinary piloting skills, blaster-handling and daring have earned him the reputation as a top smuggler, Solo also owes much of his success to his ship, the stock freighter Millennium Falcon, which he won from associate Lando Calrissian in a cutthroat game of sabacc. The Falcon is widely regarded as one of the fastest ships in the galaxy thanks to the mechanical skills of Chewbacca, Solo's Wookiee companion. The team's services are sought after even by powerful crime lords like Jabba the Hutt, who put a bounty out on Solo after he jettisoned a cargo of Jabba's spice in an effort to flee an Imperial patrol. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' old kitchen.

Commentary: When Kenner relaunched Star Wars in 1995, the line was a mixed bag-- some elements made them better toys, and in some respects, they weren't very good. Han Solo was in the middle as one of the first figures packed at 3 per case, which was a mixed blessing. His muscular appearance resulted in numerous "Has he been working out on a Solo-flex? Hahaha!" comments which has basically changed my opinion from Star Wars humor being potentially funny to wanting to punch some people in the throat. Yeah, he's beefy, this was in the style of numerous figures of the day. His face is unquestionably Han Solo-esque, but it doesn't look much like Harrison Ford. Up until this figure, most of my action figures I more or less enjoyed without question-- they were fun, they could stand or sit or hold their guns and were basically a good time.

Han Solo had problems. While I do miss the simpler construction, I don't miss the wonky pose or the gravity-unfriendly design. You see, the figure can't stand on his own-- this was a surprisingly common problem with a few of the 1995 releases, you couldn't get Han to stand upright without a display stand (and in 1995, there were none) or unless you kicked out his left foot so that his heel was on the ground and his feet were pointed in the air. Since he was released beyond the advent of separate holsters, he was designed to sit well, but the sculpt prevented him from fitting easily into the Millennium Falcon. His arms and legs weren't friendly to sharing the space with Chewbacca-- he could git by himself, but he did hog a little bit of the co-pilot's seating area.

While some of the early figures were good playthings, Han Solo left a lot to be desired. As a carded figure and an artifact from his day, he's not bad. I mean, all the Han elements are here from the off-white shirt to the black vest to the blue pants with red stripes. Kenner improved on some elements from the old days, like adding a waist joint and giving him a then-impressive sixth point of articulation, but I doubt fans today would be very interested in him. His trademark blaster has difficulty being gripped in his right hand, and his secondary gun really doesn't add much to the figure. It's a nice bonus in the sense that a bonus is nice, but I can't say it brought a lot of fun to the table. I wouldn't suggest running out and getting him if you want a strong toy, but if you've got a few bucks I would suggest getting the version from the Classic 4-Pack or the real deal from 1978. Subsequent Han figures were better, and I would only suggest buying this one if you're a fan of the style of the mid-1990s. And have a spare display stand.

Collector's Notes: The 1995 figures were so insanely hot when they debuted it's tough to remember just how many people stashed them away. I met people who bought a set or two to keep carded, and even some people who bought sixteen in hopes that, some day, these would be good to have around. Oddly, there are toys from this era which have jumped up to crazy prices, but they aren't Star Wars. The figure sells for $1 or so usually, but I would place its actual market value at slightly less. It's not a comment on the quality or durability of the product, but more or less the fact that there may be more of these preserved in perfect condition than the very first issue of Spawn.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,746: February 22, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,745: Han Solo

HAN SOLO Wal-Mart Exclusive
30th Anniversary Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. 12980 No. 87816
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 3 of 6
Includes: R-3PO, blaster, sensors, goggles, piece of C-3PX
Action Feature: Removable goggles fit on eyes, hat
Retail: $9.99
Availability: May 2008
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: The Alliance's command center on Hoth includes the diverse tactical expertise of the impetuous Han Solo and the protocol droid R-3PO. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Even four years later, I would probably deem this Han Solo to be essential, a good upgrade from the iffy 2007 Vintage Hoth Han Solo figure. The coat coloring isn't super-blue, but it isn't brown either. It's in a happy place in the middle, leaning toward blue and features the ever-important feature of his hood being raised. Actually, this was the first super-articulated hood-up Hoth Han in the modern line-- there's another, but the coloring is more brownish. The figure has difficulty sitting, but if you want a Han to stand around and look cool? This is the one. The goggles can be worn on the forehead or on the eyes, the sensor pack is a nice bonus, plus his blaster fits into his holster. The jacket is snowy and dirty, the texture bulky. With 14 joints, this is a figure that has a decent range of momentum assuming you don't want him to be able to ride a Tauntaun. (The retooled version of this figure which can do that was sold in late 2011, and oddly did not feature a raised hood.)

Since Han's face is mostly covered, the likeness isn't much of an issue-- it's Han's outfit, not necessarily Harrison Ford's likeness which should sell you on this one. Due to how he's painted I don't believe it's a particularly great likeness, but it seems Harrison is one actor Hasbro seems to have difficulty replicating properly. It's a good-looking figure and one that happily does not have the goggles glued down, so it's worth checking out. If you buy a used one, be sure to check for the goggles-- they're very small and easily lost.

Collector's Notes: This set of figures is worth tracking down-- at its issue price, it was a fun set and a great deal. You can probably grab the lot of 6 2-packs (with the build-a-C-3PX) for $60 or less. If you can, you should. This set is a good one, and I'd say if it cost you $10-$15 you wouldn't be disappointed. Of the figures derived from the Vintage Hoth Han body, this is one of the best. Right now, this is my preferred modern version of the original Kenner Hoth Han figure. This may change, but I doubt it-- if you want only one Hoth Han, and sitting on the Tauntaun isn't a priority, make it this one.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,745: February 21, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,744: Jar Jar Binks

JAR JAR BINKS Bowcaster Fires Booma!
Discover the Force Movie Heroes Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 36563 No. 37754
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH13
Includes: Stand, card, die, projectile, crossbow
Action Feature: Firing rocket
Retail: $8.99
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Jar Jar Binks uses a bowcaster to fire boomas at battle droids. The Gungans fight the battle droid army on Naboo. Gungan soldiers use weapons that fire exploding energy balls called boomas, which short-circuit the droids. Jar Jar may not be the most skilled warrior, but he is not afraid to fight, and takes out a number of droids during the battle. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.

Commentary: A figure like Jar Jar Binks serves as a stern reminder of just how long we've been in this hobby-- not only do I remember when the first Jar Jar came out, but I remember that the last one based on the movies came out in 2002. 10 years ago. And that was an awful figure. This one is a better sculpt, but the deco in 1999 is, arguably, more authentic. There's a distinctive skin pattern that looks like a series of pink and off-white mazes on his arms and neck, which you can plainly see on pretty much every Hasbro release of the character and most Gungans up until 2009, at which point (I'm guessing) Hasbro assumed nobody noticed or cared and dropped it to cut costs. My guess is most collectors won't notice unless they already own a lot of Jar Jar merchandise, and let's face it-- some of us do. I should also note that in every shot I looked at from the movie for reference, Jar Jar's vest is actually lighter than his undershirt. On this figure, the vest is darker. So while this is a fun toy with a great sculpt, Hasbro and Lucasfilm apparently don't much care if the deco is accurate. I also suspect many fans won't notice or care, due to the nature of the character-- this will probably be something kids notice as they get older, and when they post on forums their discoveries will be shouted down by people demanding the Tonnika Sisters, Sail Barges, and the 2027 rumor of Mattel getting the license from Hasbro. (It's coming.)

The figure itself is actually quite good-- while getting the deco wrong in 1999 is not only excusable but, as the movie wasn't finished, it's expected, in 2012 anything less than B+ work may as well be a failure. Thankfully, this figure was engineered as a toy and as such can do things. The best Jar Jar in terms of articulation before this release was about 6 joints. And this one has 10 joints, an improvement but obviously not super-articulated. This figure, and this entire wave, feels like it was designed out of my playbook-- articulation isn't everything, but the sculpts are good and the figures are largely fun to play with. Jar Jar has ball-jointed knees and ankles, plus a new joint in his neck which increases the range of movement without letting his head pop off easily. His hands are well-suited to both carrying his large, delightfully goofy bowcaster as well as gesturing and pointing. I would argue few figures can gain more personality from their added articulation, but this is one of them-- you can make all sorts of wacky clumsy poses. The sculpt is similar to previous figures, but refined slightly-- so it's better, but not like it's from another planet. The head is also good, the face isn't goofy (unfortunately) but he does have a bit of a cross-eyed problem on my sample which I would say makes it better. He should be a little goofy or confused, and this helps bring that out in his face. (While an alternate grinning head would have been a nice bonus accessory here, it seems it would be difficult to pop it off.)

If you want a good figure to play with, put on your desk, and enjoy, this is it. But as far as accuracy, well, no. If Hasbro got Luke's boots or Qui-Gon's lightsaber wrong, I don't know that we'd let that slide-- yet with Jar Jar, I guess after a decade it's easy to accept less than Hasbro's best, even if it is really good. A repaint of this figure would be really fantastic, as the sculpt is certainly very nice. I like this figure as a toy, but there's enough Hasbro left off-- the skin tone and the goofy grin-- that I could see a good reason to do another, better figure later.

Collector's Notes: This figure is new as of last week basically, and comes at only one per case in this one case so far. Hasbro alluded to a vintage Jar Jar Binks later in the year, but now I'm wondering if they meant the Carbonite one announced at Toy Fair. (In case you missed the announcement, Jar Jar Binks in Carbonite is part of a Comic-Con Exclusive in July.) Anyway. This is the best Jar Jar Binks sculpt to date, so keep that in mind when you see him in the stores-- if you want to upgrade, this is it!

Wave Notes: This is a great wave-- it's a crying shame that Jar Jar Binks and his 5 all-new mold companions weren't part of the debut wave, as these are some of the best toys Hasbro has done since the Hasbro brand appeared on the packaging. The articulation isn't what it usually is, but the sculpts are great and the designs show more than a little thought was put in to how they will function as toys. Jar Jar Binks is the obvious first must-buy, but it's worth noting that Anakin Skywalker and Darth Maul are both excellent, and Queen Amidala is also quite good. Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn both feel like real 1980s Vintage figures, as designed in 2012. If you pop off the lower part of their robes, they can sit in vehicles. Even at $9 a pop, this batch feels worth it-- get all 6. If you liked the 2004 OTC Dagobah wave, this is-- in my opinion-- another fantastic themed batch of figures you shouldn't miss. Yes, even if you hate The Phantom Menace, these are fun figures.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,744: February 20, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,743: Wedge Antilles

WEDGE ANTILLES X-Wing Pack-In
The Legacy Collection Target Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87847
Number: n/a
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Includes: X-Wing, Astromech droid, helmet, ladders
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $49.99, part of a set
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: Primarily Star Wars

Bio: The X-Wing Fighter has become the symbol of the Rebellion. Swift, reliable and highly responsive in battle, this rugged craft is capable of absorbing plenty of damage in combat. X-Wings have flown in all the major battles against the Empire and are the preferred fighters of Rebel pilots. In the bustling Alliance hangars, X-Wings are prepared for another battle with Imperial fighters, as pilots and technicians check engines, instruments and weapons. Once Alliance pilot, Wedge Antilles, flew an X-Wing in the Battle of Yavin as Red Two and as Red Leader in the Battle of Endor. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: I am not at a point where I cannot say with absolutely certainty if this Wedge Antilles figure is the best-- I think it may be. The fairly scarce Vintage release is shorter, but has an arguably superior head sculpt. But an inferior torso. What's a collector to do, other than buy them all? As far as best bang for the buck goes, this one doesn't disappoint, but its higher secondary market price is now kind of a drag. The figure is based on a variation of the Vintage X-Wing Luke Pilot sculpt, with a longer torso and, of course, Wedge's head. The head is Wedgey, although it could be more so. You basically know what to expect from this body type-- it stands well, can sit and fit in an X-wing, but has those annoying straps which get in the way of sitting.

I really appreciate that Hasbro used this torso rather than reuse Luke's again, mostly because the lightsaber belt hole is an eyesore. The shoulders are a little wonky, but the figure still looks good and for the loose collector, is probably one of your better options for the price. Particularly because it also includes an X-Wing and an Astromech Droid, and because even though it's much cheaper than it was, the Vintage one is still too dang much.

Collector's Notes: While it sort of rotted on the shelves, that can only mean one thing: it's expensive on eBay. Now it's closer to $90 or $100, which isn't bad considering you get a big huge X-Wing, two figures, and some ladders. Granted, I was complaining about paying $50 back in 2009, but I guess inflation and the grim reality of what things sell for at the Toys R Us makes this an interesting set for the price. If you can get it for under $70, you should. For $100, well, I can't say I'd suggest jumping on it, but I do like this figure slightly more than the 2011 Vintage figure due to the height and torso issues. Generally speaking, though, either is great-- do whatever your wallet says makes the most sense. (Or both.)

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,743: February 17, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,742: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER Cannon Pack Fires Missiles!
The Clone Wars Basic Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37290 No. 37294
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: CW2
Includes: Rifle, pistol, firing rocket, dud rocket, backpack, stand
Action Feature: Rocket-firing backpack
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Clone Wars TV series

Bio: The weapons and armor of the clone troopers evolve as the Clone Wars continue. As battle conditions change, the troopers' armor and equipment is updated, including new helmets with more advanced communication and survival technology, and new weapons like missile-equipped jetpacks. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' coffee table.

Commentary: I incorrectly assumed that we had reached a point where new versions of existing characters would be as good as (or better than) previous attempts, but the sheer volume of Clone Trooper toys makes this difficult to do. This new phase of clone armor looks a lot like the 2005 clones, except it's a lot thinner and has less going for it in the way of articulation. My biggest gripe is the lack of the ball-jointed hip joints, this makes it difficult for these new troopers to sit. No ankle joints are present, and the wrists are swivel-only. It looks good, but it feels like it could play a little better. The biggest change to the armor is the panel on the back, which previously looked like the "OII" on the Stormtroopers. Now, it's the same classic Clone mishmash as seen in Revenge of the Sith, which makes sense because these are effectively those very troopers.

The deco feels weak, simply because the helmet isn't as decorated as the movie equivalent. We're used to seeing a stripe on the forehead, and Hasbro opted not to include one here. This gives the figures an incomplete look, which doesn't help when the figure already looks bland compared to the TV counterpart-- after all, those troopers have squad markings. Plain white clones are far and few between on the show these days, and it's my assumption that this figure (long-term, anyway) will be more popular with customizers than with collectors. It's very OK-- I like the quantity of gear, and the jetpack is a nice bonus. I just wish the helmet had a stripe on it, it would look considerably better with a half-cent's worth of paint added to it.

Collector's Notes: New! And common. Packed at 2 per case, the figure may be hanging around at a store near you right now. I wouldn't necessarily suggest running out and building an army, but then again, what do I know? I'd say it's worth getting at least one, but I personally have no interest in buying more until I see if Hasbro puts out an improved version later. Or unless I get a big vehicle needing lots of troops in it, which, right now, it doesn't look like I'm gonna get this year. I'm a little surprised Hasbro doesn't introduce new troopers exclusively in multipacks-- I mean, why let people buy only one clone? Put three identical ones in a $20 gift set, cut costs a bit, and encourage troop building. If the recent batch of Battle Packs has taught us anything, it's that people would rather buy three basically obscure clones over repacks of figures they've bought time and again since 1999.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,742: February 16, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,741: Rum Sleg

RUM SLEG Bounty Hunter
The Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 92915
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD09
Includes: Helmet, 2 blasters, backpack, L8-L9 piece
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: The Boonta Eve Classic Podrace draws a huge crowd of spectators including bounty hunter Rum Sleg. Held just outside Mos Espa, the race is a death-defying competition, which doesn't stop young Anakin Skywalker from competing. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.

Commentary: At some point I think someone inside the Lucas camp decided to make any cool-looking character a bounty hunter, just because. Why not make him a space trucker? I have no idea, but Rum Sleg was a figure a few fans wanted and was one I found pretty exciting, as it's increasingly rare to see Hasbro release a completely new character. The red-suited creature was basically a big unknown before the figure came out, he had little history and his design was never fully explained. In the movie it was a guy in a suit-- was the skull-like mask his face, or just a mask? Hasbro's figure reveals it to be a mask, similar to that of noted slasher and movie star Jason Voorhees, best known for his appearance in the ongoing documentary series Friday the 13th. Behind the mask and under the helmet is a warty white skin, with hair-like things bundled over his neck. They extend beyond his helmet, and since (as far as I know) there is no photo reference of the costume under the helmet, this is literally it. As Hasbro does have a toyetic license of sorts to extend the character designs, filling in gaps, I don't yet know how true this is to the actual costume.

Sculpt is good-- the red suit has black and silver armor. Deco is fine-- nothing special, just does what it needs to do. This is a neat figure because it looks like it could be a background character or villain from any of a number of space toy lines or TV shows, it's not overtly Star Wars in appearance and, like I said, was a rare genuinely new character in the line. I doubt Hasbro will reissue him, but I doubt he'd sell poorly if they did. It's neat, it's unlike any other figure you have (if you don't have it), so I'd give it a strong "buy."

Collector's Notes: This one's not totally worthless on eBay, so you can get one for about eight bucks. I'd suggest trying to get him in a lot with his wave mates-- the L8-L9 build-a-droid is a genuine treat and one you should have.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,741: February 15, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,740: Clone Commander Jet

CLONE COMMANDER JET Delayed Action Figure
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 25278
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW38
Includes: Stand, antenna piece, non-antenna piece, blasters, rocket launcher, rocket
Action Feature: Firing Missile Launcher!
Retail: $8.99
Availability: August 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Clone Commander Jet battles Separatist forces on Geonosis. The gunship carrying Jet, Ki-Adi-Mundi and clone troopers is hit by enemy fire and crashes on the planet. On the ground, jet leads clone troopers into battle against the droid army and Geonosian warriors, fighting to reach the rest of the Republic invasion force. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Delays happen. About 1,200 articles ago, I'd probably fret more about a figure disappearing from the release schedule, but by the time we got to Commander Jet in 2011, it didn't bother me so much that the figure was held back for a long time for no obvious reason. It's a neat character based on a season 2 design, and here's what's neat about it: I'm dense. No, really-- I didn't watch the episodes for a while, and I didn't realize that the reason he had this Lobot-like piece on the back of his helmet was to represent an action feature on the show, which I saw on a crappy low-res video months earlier. The idea was that this represents his ability to raise and extend antenna for communications and whatnot. Neat! (At first I thought it was a trooper vs. commander thing. Nope!)

The sculpt is basically 2008 Captain Rex, but with new arms and the aforementioned new head, which was also used of a few other figures. Hasbro got its money worth out of this tool, as the helmet (or tweaked versions of it) have been used on no fewer than 4 clones. The 14 points of articulation are great, but the arm articulation isn't a big improvement. Sure, the elbow armor has been resculpted to be more accurate to the show, but at the expense of the bend-and-swivel wrists. Now they only swivel, which makes me a sad panda. This is by no means a bad figure, but it's always a little depressing when you realize a figure lost some functionality.

Collector's Notes: A delayed figure that's still more or less new due to a slow rollout late last year, the figure's price is still close to retail and you can probably still find it if you're lucky. I don't think people realize he was new, given he came on the old-style bubble and was released with other higher-profile characters on a new packaging style. I like this figure, but I like the whole brownish red Geonosian style. If you're going after those ARF Troopers and clones, get this one too.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,740: February 14, 2012