Monday, March 11, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,019: Blue R8-Series Astromech Droid

R8-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID Blue Dome with Silver Panels
Star Tours Droid Factory Customizable Figure
Item No.:
No. ???
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Head, 2 legs, torso, central third leg, optional hat
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $10-$12
Availability: 2012
Appearances: n/a

Bio: These figures do not have specific packaging or configurations.  As such, we will be treating each dome as a unique "figure" as that part is the most plentiful.   At this time there are 25 domes and while Hasbro sometimes seems to indicate they are not Hasbro product, they do have Hasbro copyright markings and as such we are classifying them under the Hasbro banner.

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: I'm not sure exactly when Star Wars action figure collecting went from a pleasant weekend hobby to a nigh-impenetrable mega-collection requiring a Sherpa and several thousand dollars to wade through an average year, but here we are.  The bad thing about a line this big is that about 50% of it is probably skippable, which you did not know when you made many purchases.  The good news is that Hasbro and its partners really cranked out some weird and awesome stuff like the Blue R8-Series Astromech Droid, another theme park exclusive available at Disney Hollywood Studios because screw you and your love of this hobby.

Applying Mr. Potato Head science to a galaxy far, far away was a fantastic idea that should never, ever have been executed because (at least this is my hunch) it's irritating about as many people as it delights.  Believe it or not, I actually am of the school that any and all newly manufactured action figures should probably be pretty common at least for a little while, because I get no kick out of owning a figure that you can't ever hope to find.  The $100 Disney cover charge stings too, but dagnabbit this is a nice figure.  The dark blue plastic body can be used for several droids, but it looks particularly lovely with this eyeless R8 dome. The yellow sensor and the silver panels pop nicely, as do baby blue lights off to the sides.  The silver color seems a little off, perhaps it would have looked more retro in a basic white.  (The black and white R8 dome looks particularly 1970s.)

This chipper little fellow looks wonderful and has typical Droid Factory/Build-A-Droid articulation with movement at 5 points.  The paint is applied mostly quite nicely, silver seems to be tough to do well and over time tends to be one of the paints that is likely to rub off easily, so be careful when you get yours.   Should fate smile on you and afford you a chance to buy one, do so.  It's a fun little figure.

Collector's Notes: As this figure is assembled at Disney Hollywood Studios (pending part availability) it's tough to say if you can hope to get one easily, samples on eBay go for $30 or so.  I realize I'm a real grouch when it comes to this concept, and it's in part because I have to assume more money could have been made making these a retailer exclusive, or perhaps a blind-packaged figure in the Easter section at Target, or some other, third thing.  Good day.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,019: March 11, 2013

Friday, March 8, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,018: Davish Krail (Pops)

DAVISH KRAIL Pops / Gold 5, Yavin Pilot Pack
Discover the Force Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.:
Asst. A0790 No. A0792
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Packaged with red Jek Porkins, Tiree, Mauler Mithel, and R5-D8 figures
Action Feature: Removable helmet, blaster fits in holster
Retail: $39.99
Availability: August 2012
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: The Battle of Yavin is a decisive battle in the fight to free the galaxy.  The Rebels achieve an important victory when they destroy the Death Star.  The pilots of Red Squadron and Gold Squadron, supported by their trusty Astromech Droids, take on the menacing Imperial pilots in a ferocious space dogfight around the battle station.  (Taken from the set's box.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: Gotta have my Pops!  I confess that the name Davish Krail did not immediately bring to mind Pops, one of the few pilots from the original Star Wars to be name-checked in print before the 1990s and 2000s. (I think I missed out on his trading card in the 1990s.  Pops I know.  Krail, not so much.)  As one of the pilots with lines in the movie, it makes sense that he would get a figure, I guess, eventually.  It took about 35 years, but here he is!  And was he worth it?  Ehhhh... sort of.

Familiarity breeds contempt, particularly when I'm familiar with this same arguably incorrect body type from previous pilot releases.  Pops probably shouldn't be using the shorter Luke body, particularly with the lightsaber hole, for yet another release.  There are other pilot bodies, but I'm going to go out on a limb and assume this was an error on the part of Hasbro's factory yet again.  The packaging photography for this figure and Tiree both show the use of an alternate torso, so it's a safe bet this shorter pilot, who seems to be lacking in the neck department, was not Hasbro's intent.  Considering that this figure is a pilot and arguably should spend his life in a vehicle, it shouldn't matter... but it's a little upsetting when the figure's development is arguably quite easy.  Just slap a new head and repainted helmet on an existing body, and you're done.  When you have the wrong body, it's a little less exciting... although I could make an argument that pretty much any orange-suited Rebel pilot is now well beyond the point of being either fresh or interesting due to the fact we have... how many do we have now?   We have to be close to 30, many of which used the Luke body when the early press photos and prototypes did not. Even Vintage Wedge had the wrong body.   Argh.

Because it's a new character and part of a set with other new characters and some decent upgrades, I begrudgingly give it a "buy."  It is not great in and of itself, but new characters are far and few between, so you're basically buying this one because there's no better version yet and the last decade or so has shown us that unless you're Luke, Wedge, or Biggs, you aren't likely to get a same-character, same-outfit rerelease.

Collector's Notes: Toys R Us exclusives tend to stick around a while, and this one defied expectations (or maybe fell right into them) by selling slower than its equally-weighted counterpart, an Ewok gift set.  The Ewoks were shorter, but they were more diverse and interesting with better upgrades and even more exciting all-new figures.  Both are worthwhile purchases, but if you had to pick just one only a crazy person would pick the pilots over the Ewoks.  And yes, I am calling you crazy.  I've already got a good, comically portly Porkins so the Ewok set with the multi-Teebo and Kneesaa were more exciting from where I sat.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,018: March 8, 2013

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,017: Chewbacca

CHEWBACCA Bowcaster Fires Projectiles!
The Clone Wars Basic Action Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 37290 No. 38415
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: CW9
Includes: Rifle, rocket, firing bowcaster, regular bowcaster, stand, card, die
Action Feature: Rocket-firing backpack
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Clone Wars TV series

Bio: Chewbacca is captured by Trandoshan hunters, who kidnap victims and hunt them as part of a deadly game.  The Wookiee comes across a group of Padawans who have been kidnapped, including Ahsoka, Anakin's Padawan.  Chewbacca joins them to find a way to escape from the planet.  His immense strength and his technological skills give the group much-needed support.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: This Chewbacca is a repaint, but a big improvement.  Back in 2011 I reviewed the original mold which, while showcasing exquisite sculpting, had a terrible head paint job and was unable to sit.  It would be highly narcissistic and delusional to think that Hasbro read my review and redecorated the figure while adding in a slice in his fur "skirt" allowing him to sit, not to mention unrealistic given the turnaround time.  But hey, more delusion juice for everyone!

Nicely articulated, all over, the figure's deco is roughly on par with the previous release save for the head.  His bandolier is removable, and feels looser on my sample.  The bowcasters are just as good as the previous release, but the lighter fur on the head (especially around the eyes) makes him look more like the Chewbacca we all know and love, rather than the Chewbacca who got a face full of soot from an exhaust pipe.  The figure's hands and feet have paint on them, with claws and grey skin decorated to the extent it looks a little better than most movie-based Chewbacca figures.   Seeing as how figures seemed to be less interesting, less articulated, and less geared up in 2012 it was wonderful to see a figure which was an improvement across the board.  Nothing was removed, things were only made better.  Skip the 2011 release and get this one instead.

Collector's Notes: Due to Hasbro's iffy (OK, AWFUL) casepacks of 2012, few figures looked new and many sat around.  Chewie was findable, but not super-common.  The 2011 figure was touch to find so the 2012 rerelease was not only an improvement, but a much-needed shot-in-the-arm for the figure's availability.   I won't say it was worth $12, but I won't say it wasn't, either.  If you only get one animated Chewbacca, make sure it's this one.  (For the record, that's the one on the Darth Maul cardback.  Not the Rex one.)

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,017: March 7, 2013

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,016: Jango Fett

JANGO FETT  Geonosis Arena  Battle
Discover the Force/Movie Heroes Battle Packs
Item No.:
Asst. 37822 No. 37826
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blasters, backpack, helmet, stand, game cards, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Battle Droid
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $22.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio:  The Geonosian arena is rocked by an intense battle. On Geonosis, secret factories are churning out hundreds of battle droids and super battle droids for the growing Separatist movement. Obi-Wan Kenobi fights Geonosian warriors and battle droids that overflow into the arena, as Jango Fett takes on the Jedi and clone troopers. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: Before Hasbro decided to make all-new, simplified molds of many characters they decided to rerun a rather old release with Jango Fett last year.  The core figure is from 2002, with slightly altered deco, a different jetpack, and a hole in his right wrist.  The original 2002 Kamino Escape Jango Fett body had a claw attachment on the wrist which made for a more compelling toy, which is important as the figure itself is nothing special and a hole begs the question "so what is missing here?"  With eight points of articulation, it was a good figure back in 2002 when the price point was a mere $4.99.  As 33 1/3% of a $23 set, it's nothing special.

The face under the helmet has been decorated quite cleanly, with the sculpted scarring clearly visible around his sharp eyes and eyebrows.  The mold has probably never looked better than this release, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's any fun by modern standards.  He can't fit in the new 2013 mini Jango Fett Slave I vehicle very well, so the main reason to track down this release is just to say that you've got them all.  Other releases of this mold should be sufficient, as cleaner paint apps are probably not a reason to re-buy the mold after several other releases as Jango (and a couple as other Mandalorians) over the past ten years.

Collector's Notes: On clearance, this set is arguably worth your money.  For ten or fifteen bucks, it's totally acceptable.  Is anyone else more or less amazed Hasbro is still getting mileage out of 10+-year-old molds when most toy lines crash and burn in a year or two, tops?

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,016: March 6, 2013

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,015: Emperor's Royal Guard

EMPEROR'S ROYAL GUARD  Return of the Jedi
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 37499 No. 38527
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC105
Includes: 2 helmets, force pike, blade weapon, shoulder armor, blaster, cloth robes
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: October 2012
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

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

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: Complain as I may about the $10-ish price point in 2012, this Emperor's Royal Guard was determined to prove me wrong. You get your money's worth here, more or less.  Because Hasbro is insane, or because of the high piece-count, this figure was delayed and eventually crammed in an online-exclusive wave which meant that one of the few figures fans were really superbly looking forward to building a squad of would be out of reach.

The figure has so much gear and such wonderful deco that it may be surprising that I don't much like it.  The figure has a complete alternate training wardrobe, complete with an Imperial symbol on his back and a nicely decorated head.  In his training gear, it's a really cool looking figure.  With his movie costume, the figure sort of misses the mark.  I don't particularly care for how he holds his pool cue, plus I found the cloth part to be ultimately clunky when trying to recreate the movie look.  The 1983 version got it wrong, too, but in 2012 I don't much feel there to be any reason for a figure to look anything less than perfect.  The bizarrely tall plastic 1997 take on the guard had no problem holding his weapon, and even though his arms protruded from the plastic cloak it more or less worked.

There's still demand for this figure because it's arguably the best modern take on the trooper.  The 1997 one is tall and the arms are weird.  The 2002 one is plastic and looks funky.  The 2005 one lacks the pike, but is generally designed well.  And this one, well, why isn't it perfect?  Why include extra gear and not a perfect pike-gripping hand, or the best-ever crimson robes?  Is it a scale issue?  Was plastic too expensive?  It comes so close to being the best, and it's obvious Hasbro lavished this figure with time and resources to give us something truly great.  The fact that it's just OK is what's kind of disappointing... and its lack of availability.  And with the recent price increases it wouldn't stun me to never see this figure released again, but I think I'm OK with that.  I'd love to see Hasbro crank out a better Royal Guard in its Saga Legends line some day, if possible, that really only needs to stand and hold his weapon.   The action pose stuff is nice, but the character is basically little more than a mobile statue.

Collector's Notes: Hasbro underserved the market on this one, and odds are you didn't get too many of it.   Just for the training garb, it's worth picking up as it's superior to the Crimson Empire boxed set trainees and actually makes a decent Kir Kanos substitute.   Had Hasbro left out the movie helmet and robe entirely, I'd rate this figure more highly... I know it's silly, but including accessories that don't quite work well is almost worse than leaving the gear out entirely.  This is all moot since you'll never see it at American retail.  At the right price, buy it as a great Expanded Universe figure.  Just keep waiting for Hasbro to get that perfect Return of the Jedi guard.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,015: March 5, 2013



Monday, March 4, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,014: Anakin Skywalker

ANAKIN SKYWALKER The Rise of Darth Vader
Discover the Force Adjacent Target Exclusive Movie Heroes 2-Pack
Item No.:
Asst. 39612 No. 39618
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Helmet, Darth Vader figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Through the creative vision of Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Cartoon Network, the Clone Wars are brought to life in an exciting new series of short animated chapters. A unique animation style captures the drama of this epic period in galactic history along with its outstanding heroes and adversaries. Noble Jedi warriors lead Clone Troopers into battle against the evil Separatist forces and their droid armies. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda and their comrades struggle against the rising power of the dark side and confront personal challenges against a backdrop of war-torn planets.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: Not every purchase I make is a happy one, as this Anakin Skywalker proves.  "Why am I buying this?" I asked myself last year, and the answer was that Anakin was just different enough to make me mad.  The figure has new deco and a helmet previously (or actually, simultaneously) seen on Naboo pilot figures.  It's a mold from 2000 with improved deco.  The same mold was used in the Walmart Mos Espa Race set, except it had dust painted on his face.  The mold isn't very good... it's not bad, but it was 12 years old at the time of its release and was not engineered to sit in vehicles particularly well.   I'm actually a little miffed Hasbro didn't kick off its new 5-joint "Saga Legends" initiative in 2012 so we could maybe have gotten an Anakin that could sit in a Naboo Fighter or Pod Racer without skirt issues.  Had Hasbro opted to issue no vehicles at all in 2012, I'd have no reason to complain but the Anakin figures are, on the whole, crappy "pilots" for vehicles.  As a figure to stand around wearing a helmet?  It's fantastic.

All whining on my part aside, the figure isn't terrible.  The jointed knees were unique back in 2000, and the swivel wrists are a nice touch.  The head sculpt is good, and the paint on the figure's head, hair, and costume are cleanly applied.   As a stand-alone collectible, it isn't bad and I'm sure fans who aren't sick to death of "evolution" sets that are just a way to repackage molds we've all bought seventeen times over will be delighted by this pairing.   Darth Vader is essentially the same figure that has been in The Saga Collection and Saga Legends since 2006, with one scarred shoulder and shiny black armor.  And loose joints.  The arm may pop off for you.

The funny thing is if Hasbro did these exact figures in these exact costumes in that new (old) Saga Legends format, so they could sit easily?  I'd drop $15 on them with a smile.  As it is, yet another squeeze from these molds in an era where materials and labor costs are so high is an odd decision, and I'm sure this is one of many reasons why Target has few to no new interesting exclusives in Q1 2013.

Collector's Notes: Were this set ten bucks, I'd probably have little reason to complain.  With Walmart's 5-figure pack at about $20, this 2-figure set for $15 is sort of, how do you say, awful.  It did hit clearance at many locations of Target stores around the USA, even though it contained a new enough to warrant your attention Anakin Skywalker.  It shipped alongside a set of Darth Maul and Darth Sidious, which I realized as of yesterday I still need to pick up for the unique deco Sidious.  So that'll be here shortly.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,014: March 4, 2013

Friday, March 1, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,013: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER Blue Variant / Lieutenant
Clone Wars Cartoon Network / Tartakovsky Animated Series Action Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 85661 No. 85655
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Rifle, display stand
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Early 2005
Appearances: Clone Wars 2003 series

Bio: Through the creative vision of Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Cartoon Network, the Clone Wars are brought to life in an exciting new series of short animated chapters. A unique animation style captures the drama of this epic period in galactic history along with its outstanding heroes and adversaries. Noble Jedi warriors lead Clone Troopers into battle against the evil Separatist forces and their droid armies. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Yoda and their comrades struggle against the rising power of the dark side and confront personal challenges against a backdrop of war-torn planets.   (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: Third verse, same as the first: this Clone Trooper was one of three uniquely colored repaints to come later down the line, which gives you a nice figure based on a good sculpt with some excellent panel lines.  There's not a lot of articulation here, but it does show that when Hasbro has a white plastic figure, and then paints it white, it looks better.  It really does - it's almost ridiculous what a difference a coating of paint makes, although I'm sure these sort of cost-adding measures will never be seen on a Hasbro toy again.  Actually outside the Tartakovsky clones, I don't think I can name a white plastic figure that was also painted white on top of it.  I think Jorg Sacul had orange paint on an orange figure, and it really did make him look and feel a little more expensive.

With swivel shoulders and elbows, there isn't a lot you can do with this guy other than have him stand around and look cool.  As a line of mini maquettes rather than toys, this was another great experiment in action figures from Hasbro.  The company wasn't shy about making things that looked cool but were terrible toys from 2001-2005, and it really is neat to see something like this come to life and exist in a closet in my basement.  It's not exactly a grand fate, but it's better than being in a box somewhere.  I like this figure for what it is, but I've never had any urge to futz with it.  You open it, you take a picture of it... you've done all you can do with it.

Collector's Notes: The bulk of this sub-line is pretty easily obtained on eBay on the cheap, and as such it's worth it.  While by no means an impressive toy, it represents part of a really cool, really under-represented TV project and I'm a big sucker for Star Wars on television in any form.  If you can get it cheap, do so.  You probably can.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,013: March 1, 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,012: Green R2-Series Astromech Droid

R2-SERIES ASTROMECH DROID Silver Dome with Green Markings
Star Tours Droid Factory Customizable Figure
Item No.:
No. ???
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Head, 2 legs, torso, central third leg, optional hat
Action Feature: Comes apart
Retail: $10-$12
Availability: 2012
Appearances: n/a

Bio: These figures do not have specific packaging or configurations.  As such, we will be treating each dome as a unique "figure" as that part is the most plentiful.   At this time there are 25 domes and while Hasbro sometimes seems to indicate they are not Hasbro product, they do have Hasbro copyright markings and as such we are classifying them under the Hasbro banner.

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Commentary: Effectively the same basic design as R2-A6 or R2-N3, Disney's Green R2-Series Astromech Droid may be paired with a green plastic body (pictured) or a white body with green markings.  Anything else is an abomination.

The dome is the best build-a-droid dome of this style, as the Royal Starship Droids set's R2-N3 lacks the big red dot under the eye.  (The red dot? Very important to me.)  It adds a lot of character to the robot's face, which has a wonderful big black glossy eye surrounded by a nice rich green.  As such, it isn't identical to your other green R2 units, particularly if you use this unique body with silver markings.  It's wonderful.  The silver is clean, plus a couple of panels on this dome's right-hand side are painted green while R2-A6's were left silver.   Were it not for the option of the green plastic body I would still be delighted by the design, but the choice of a different canister makes it far more interesting.

What's more, he has a hat!  You can pick any hat you would like, but this awful green Yoda cap is one of the most delightful things I've ever seen.  It's based on a real hat sold in the 1980s to fans looking to advertise their chastity to the world around them.  Droids, being chaste, simply look adorable wearing such a thing.  The paint is clean, the logo is perfect, and remember: droids building droids is just perverse.  You need unpaid non-human alien labor to do those kinds of jobs.

Collector's Notes: Arguably not essential, it is a nifty build form the hugely frustrating Disney Hollywood Studios-exclusive Droid Factory line.  I adore the idea.  I abhor the execution.  Extra special thanks to Mike, Shannon, and what I assumed were a few terrified Disney Cast Members in helping me to assemble my set of the first 25.  More are supposedly en route for 2013.  I sincerely hope they either a) get cancelled or b) are bought by some generous soul out there who I can pay back in full (and a little something for their trouble) because it's expensive to go to Orlando when you live in not Orlando.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,012: February 28, 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 2,011: Shock Trooper

SHOCK TROOPER  Movie Heroes
Discover the Force Movie Heroes Basic Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 36563 No. 37284
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH01
Includes: Stand, card, die, rifle, pistol, removable shoulder piece
Action Feature: Squeeze leg for quick-draw attack
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Shock troopers are members of the Coruscant Guard. They keep order on Coruscant, patrolling public places, government buildings and landing platforms on the planet. Coruscant is the political center of the galaxy, where business of every kind is always being conducted, requiring the shock troopers to be constantly vigilant and swiftly reestablish order whenever peace and stability is threatened.  (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam's photo hole.

Availability: Click here to buy it at Amazon now!

Click here to buy it at eBay now!

Commentary: This Shock Trooper is, more or less, a rerelease of a 2005 figure with improved deco.  It's a little brighter, a little sharper, and lacking literally one accessory from the original release.  The original 2005 figure had two different shoulder symbols which could be exchanged/lost, one was solid red plastic and the other had an Empire symbol on it.  (The card has a Republic symbol.)  The blank one was left out.

The figure is basically the same mold, with a nifty quick-draw figure.  If you squeeze his legs, his right arm pops up to draw his gun, adding some action to this figure.  An "action figure," if you will.   The figure has 13 joints, lacking a waist joint due to the action mechanism.  It stands well, sits well, and is quite poseable.   The red markings are a smidgen different from the previous release, but not significantly so.  I'd say any version is OK if you're after a Quick-Draw Shock Trooper, as this one keeps the brown "wood" element on the longer rifle.  We've had more articulated Shock Troopers in 2012 in our beloved Vintage Collection, but this one is still pretty nice.  The helmet is good, the proportions are decent (if the shoulders are spread out a bit), and it's quite clean.  Oh, and they painted the bottom of the boots.  That's a plus.   I like this figure, but I wouldn't necessarily suggest it's a required purchase unless you missed previous versions of this clone mold.

Collector's Notes: None of the Movie Heroes from the first wave were particularly rare.  You can probably score this one easily, and I would wager you'll get a crack at it very cheap at some point in the coming year.  It's nice.  I liked it better at $5.24 in 2005, today it's kind of pricey for what it is given how many cracks we had at it.  A nearly identical figure was sold in 2005 on Revenge of the Sith packaging, in 2006's Episode III Greatest Battles subset of The Saga Collection, and I'm no doubt forgetting one somewhere.  Other Shock Troopers were made using other Clone Trooper molds as a base.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 2,011: February 27, 2013