Figure Of The Day: Day 192: Shadow Stormtrooper

SHADOW STORMTROOPER Expanded Universe
The Saga Collection ShopStarWars.com Exclusive
Item No.: No. 87140
Number: n/a
Includes: Stand, blaster pistol
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $14.99
Availability: 2006
Appearances: Crimson Empire

Bio: Armed with a powerful blaster rifle and dressed in black armor designed to increase sensor-stealth, these stormtroopers loyally serve a mysterious agent of evil named Carnor Jax. Trained to fight without mercy for any opponent, these stormtroopers obey Jax's order to locate and eliminate an Imperial Guardsman named Kir Kanos.

Image: Another tasteful shot in front of the Jedi Temple for no good reason.

Commentary: On paper, the Shadow Stormtrooper was an awesome idea. It's an Expanded Universe figure from a popular series. It's a troop builder. And it uses the best-so-far Stormtrooper mold. It really does look nice, but there are problems (see below). The figure is an excellent release, and looks basically like the guys in the comic. Except for the gun-- Hasbro decided to take it easy and use the same gun that was packaged with this figure when it was white, rather than the larger rifle seen on the packaging and in the comics. (Booooo.) Still, it's a great little figure and I have to say that despite the price, I'm quite proud to have a little squad of them to go with my Carnor Jax figure.

Collector's Notes: This figure costs too much. Usually I'll make a case for something but in this case I was really insulted. I wanted the figure, I bought the figure, but $15? I didn't need the mandatory clamshell case combined with the shipping upcharges, taxes, and already higher price of an online exclusive. I ordered 5 of these in one order, and with tax and shipping, it came to close to $20 a figure. That's not right. (But as it seems ShopStarWars.com is still sitting on these, at least I know other people with self-restraint also realized it isn't right.) Also, this is not to be confused with the Blackhole Stormtrooper-- that one has silver/white lenses and other small changes.

Day 192: November 14, 2006