CLONE SCUBA TROOPER Battle of Mon CalamariThe Legacy Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 87610
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD10
Includes: Blaster, fins, backpack, build-a-droid piece
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: July 26, 2008
Appearances: Clone Wars
Image: Adam Pawlus' TV tray.
Bio: Clone SCUBA troopers accompany Kit Fisto when the Republic sends support to the Mon Calamari, who are under attack by the Quarren. Clone SCUBA troopers have special gear that helps them more effectively battle in aquatic conditions. (Taken from the cardback.)
Commentary: As a kid, did you like Star Wars as much as you loved The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau? Then you're going to need a few Clone SCUBA Trooper action figures. Based on a single three-minute episode of the 2003 Clone Wars series, this figure was one of the many new (and numerous) creations seen in the undersea battle-- many of which would make excellent toys, and several of them already have made nice toys. While I was looking forward to this one, I was somewhat stunned by how it turned out. Removable swim fins, a removable SCUBA backpack, a new undersea blaster, and a few other surprises really made it shine. For example, it's not just a black and white figure with no added deco-- Hasbro added a little keelkana on the backpack, bringing the eel-like figure to the action figure line if only in illustration form. The nifty black and white look is really stunning, and the extra little swim fins, while goofy, remind me of some old great G.I. Joes like the Hydro Viper. It's possible kids will like this figure more than collectors, as it begs to be used as a pool or tub toy, and there are relatively few undersea Star Wars toys. Like, almost none.
If you enjoyed the Clone Wars micro series of 2003-2005 or just love Clone Troopers, this is a can't-miss addition to your army. Without a love for the story or a desire to be ready for separatists or Jedi traitors under the sea, this might be a figure you could skip. However, if you did, you'd be missing out on a fairly awesome super-articulated creation that I'd like to run out and buy more of right now were they easily available.
Collector's Notes: A new release, Hasbro seems to be cranking this puppy out and fans are eating it up. You might want to get the swimming version of Kit Fisto to go along with it, as well as a few Mon Calamari Warriors and Quarren Soldiers. This figure (and the entire wave) was at one point scheduled to be wave #3 of the 2008 30th Anniversary Collection, but was moved to the second wave of Legacy for some reason or another. The first releases of this figure came with R4-J1's head and third leg, it's likely future shipments will come with something else.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 834: August 25, 2008
I love my SCUBA trooper figure except for two things -- the fins are really loose on mine and fall off somewhat easily, and the Republic logo on right side of his backpack is so far down that it is painted on the vertical ridges. I'd like to get one with a properly aligned logo, but you can't really see that while its in the package. How do your logos align?
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