Thursday, October 22, 2009

Figure of the Day: Day 1,137: Commander Gree

COMMANDER GREE Firing Missile Launcher!
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.:
Asst. 87638 No. 89467
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW09
Includes: Blaster, Helmet, Bandolier, Rocket Launcher, Rocket, Pistol
Action Feature: Spring-loaded rocket launcher
Retail: $7.99
Availability: August 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars CG TV series

Image: Adam's TV tray.

Bio: This clone commander leads the Elite Corps and serves under Jedi General Yoda during the Clone Wars. His armor bears the distinct markings of the 41st Elite Corps, a unit Gree has nicknamed "Green Company." (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Commentary: Not one to waste time, Hasbro cranked out an animated version of Commander Gree early in the line's second year. The figure is based largely on Hasbro's normal Clone Trooper mold, except it has a removable helmet with a new head and a retooled belt with a pistol holster. Oh, and significantly new decoration.

The most notable thing about this figure is its head. With two mohawks, Gree is at least twice as cool as Mr. T. (Well, that's a tall order. Let's say his hair is twice as cool as Mr. T's.) The helmet fits on with no real problems, it isn't blatantly obvious that the head or helmet has been resized to fit the action feature. His firing rocket shoots fairly well, and is the same over-the-shoulder design we're seeing with Thire and other recently released Clone Trooper figures. The armor has been heavily decorated with green, giving the figure a distinctive look which goes well with the other animated green Clones you may have purchased.

Given his high marks in articulation, excellent array of accessories, and awesome head sculpt, this is one of my absolute favorite animated figures so far. It's well worth shelling out for, even if you already have a sea of white armored troopers.

Collector's Notes: To date, this is the first (and only) animated release of this charcter. It's a safe bet there will be more some day.

--Adam Pawlus


Day 1,137: October 22, 2009

1 comment:

Ben Carthage said...

Granted this is one of the best figures in the Clone Wars line, but it's figures like this terrific Gree that get me even more irritated with the anti-Clone Wars collecting camp. Clearly Hasbro is capable of excellent product here, as Gree (and other winners like the commando droid) prove. I don't understand why some feel it has to be one or the other; so long as Hasbro's going to do great work, there's no reason why it can't be both.