The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 84851 No. 84724
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #0350
Includes: Blaster
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: Late 2003
Appearances: The Clone Wars, Attack of the Clones
Bio: At the time of their introduction, the Republic Clone Troopers represented the future of galactic warfare. Far superior to the battle droid armies of the era, the Clone Troopers formed the backbone of the Republic's new military initiative that battled against the forces of the Confederacy of Indepenedent Systems. Accelerated growth allows them to reach maturity quickly, and they are constantly trained in fighting techniques, vehicular skills and battlefield tactics, creating superb soldiers molded mentally and physically for battle. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.
Commentary: Hasbro probably has the release of this Clone Trooper figure on a calendar as the day Star Wars collectors got spoiled rotten. Prior to this figure's release, 10 or maybe 12 points of articulation were really something, and we typically got swivel joints and not these ball-joint things. Just a month or so before this figure came out, our Lt. Dannl Faytonni figures were pretty fancy with their swiveling wrists and bending knees. And then this Clone comes along and beat the crap out of everything we ever bought up to that point, kicking off what we now take for granted as a bare minimum in some cases. But the really funny thing about this figure is that Hasbro has just rendered it obsolete in early 2011 with its new "Vintage" Clone Trooper which is the most spectacular thing I've ever seen so far.
Collector's Notes: In 2003 this figure was basically impossible to get. In 2005, Entertainment Earth got reissues (and repaints) of this mold, and after that this figure was packaged along with Anakin Skywalker in a gift set with a Darth Vader carry case. The figure has since been reissued numerous times in Saga Legends so if you want one, there's really no excuse for not being able to get one. It only took Hasbro about four years to put it in regular rotation at retail.
Day 1,555: May 31, 2011