Friday, July 30, 2010

Figure of the Day: Day 1,338: Dark Trooper Phase I

The Legacy Collection Shared Exclusive Expanded Universe Wave 
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 93301  
Manufacturer: Hasbro  
Number: #BD56  
Includes: Shield  
Action Feature: n/a   
Retail: $7.99  
Availability: May 2010  
Appearances: Dark Forces video game  

Bio: The dark trooper project is the creation of Imperial General Rohm Mohc to create advanced battle droids. The project is done in phases to refine the design. The Phase One dark trooper has an unfinished appearance and primitive programming. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)  

Image: Adam Pawlus' new bathroom. It's a very white bathroom.  

Commentary: How do you follow up a giant 2009 build-a-droid of such awe-inspiring bulk that you could never top it? Easy-- make its younger, thinner, lamer brother. Dark Trooper Phase I is a never-before-made character with a name fans should recognize. He has a shield accessory, and his vibro-blade is removable but stays on as if it were affixed there permanently. So you can take if off, but since it's part of his wrist, why would you? The figure's articulation is either exceptional or average, depending on what you consider 14 joints these days. As a robot, he works well-- red eyes, lots of silver, and cables galore. He looks like a rough first concept, and as he is one, that means Hasbro did a great job on a figure that some will find thrilling and others will find another toy for the box. I like it, but if it were never made, I wouldn't have missed it. Fans of the game need it, but everyone else? Let your appreciation of the design dictate your purchase. He's a very nicely done figure, but given you've got more than 1,000 choices, he may not be your first. (Unless you want to complete the BG-J38 droid, of which he includes a piece.)  

Collector's Notes: I never saw this one in the wilds of retail, as such, I assume your chances of finding one aren't great. Be sure to network and/or buy online, as I would assume this guy and his wave will either be in very short supply, or appear in some huge glut on clearance somewhere in the future. Either way, it's good to be prepared. --Adam Pawlus

Day 1,338: July 30, 2010

4 comments:

Ben Carthage said...

I had to buy this guy online -- never saw *any* of this line in the wild at all -- and wasn't thrilled by the design, until I got him out of the package. Pictures online don't do him justice, he's actually a really cool figure, insanely articulated and very menacing looking. I didn't expect to like this guy that much, but he's great.

The Right Noble Lord Edzo said...

I must echo Adam and Ben's frustration at never having found this figure in TRU (although I did find its "wave mates" K'kruhk and Shaak Ti). I recently bought it on Amazon and was very impressed with its appearance. As Ben said, pictures don't do it justice, so for collectors, it's definitely worth owning ... even if you have to pay a bit more online.

Bravo said...

Never saw one. In fact I only ever saw 2 of the EU wave figures, and Utriss the Wing Guard.

I can live without it. Never got the other Dark Troopers.

It seems like Hasbro screwed fans over again, like with Revan and Malek (and the EU wave from POTF2). Not that it was probably intentional, but with EU stuff, it seems to happen.

ms said...

Complete crap. Looks like something from a Lego line.