Figure of the Day: Day 416: Clone Trooper (442nd Siege Battalion)

CLONE TROOPER 442nd Siege Battalion
The Saga Collection
Item No.: Asst. 85770 No. 87327
Number: 057
Includes: Blaster, antenna, display base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: Early 2007
Appearances: n/a

Bio: As the Clone Wars rage through the Republic, clone troopers are deployed far and wide to combat the Separatist droid armies. The troopers of the 442nd Siege Battalion specialize in planetary assault missions and are sent to capture Cato Neimoidia, a key Trade Federation stronghold. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Nothing sets collector hearts a-twitter like a Clone Trooper and some new paint. This particular Clone Trooper is a pretty straightforward repaint. In mid-2006, Hasbro released an orange Utapau Clone Trooper. This figure is the exact same figure, but instead of orange, he's green-- same damage, same accessories, new package, same articulation. This figure's mold is considered to be the best Clone Trooper money can currently buy, so it's a solid item designed for a scene which has yet to play itself out in any significant way. The figure looks good and with a green Clone Commander, makes a nice little squadron. With 14 points of articulation, it's a fun figure and one of the better sorta-but-not-quite movie designs to be had out there. I bought a few of them myself because I like green things, and there's nothing really wrong with the overall concept. Those looking to thin the herd might want to skip this one, but if you like Clone Troopers there's nothing wrong with this one aside from it not being a movie toy. (No matter what the package says.)

Collector's Notes: This was a popular figure during the few months it was in stores, but not enough to make fans pay out the nose for it. Since it wasn't a movie figure and, so far, hasn't had too significant a role in the comics or games, it'll probably remain fairly cheap on the secondary market. So don't pay too much more than seven bucks a whack for these guys just yet.

Day 416: June 26, 2007