Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,773: Clone Commander Cody

CLONE COMMANDER CODY Jetpack
The Clone Wars Basic Action Figures
Item No.: Asst. 37290 No. 37306
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: CW7
Includes: Card, stand, rifle, helmet, big jetpack, little jetpack
Action Feature: Removable helmet
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: Clone Wars TV series

Bio: Commander Cody takes on battle droids wherever the Clone Wars rage, even in the deep space or orbital battles. He straps on a rocket pack and propulsion pack when the fighting takes place in the vacuum of space. Cody’s flight pack has built-in weapons that swivel to blast battle droids in any direction. (Taken from Hasbro's web site.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' back yard.

Commentary: Good figure, bad accessories. Clone Commander Cody is the second major sculpt of the animated figure and given that it's a Phase II upgrade, it's neat and new enough to be interesting. However, the execution is only partially good-- there are things about this figure which are fantastic. And others which remind me that nobody ever thinks about the end-user, the kids, in a meaningful way.

Let's get this out of the way: the figure reuses the big honking jetpack originally sold with the new Captain Rex sold in late 2011. It's a good accessory, but to be good it requires additional accessories-- it's a part of a three-piece set. Rex had a unique blaster which rests in a holster on the chest, and a second, smaller jetpack which fit in the giant hole on the back of the larger jetpack. This includes neither, so what you have is an item that's obviously incomplete just to look at it. A holster without a gun is a bad idea, and a giant gaping hole in the backpack is probably going to confuse the poor child that gets this one. But as a collector? I get it. I see that they tossed it in to add "value" to the figure, although this extra piece seems to just make it look like something was left out.

Cody includes a smaller jetpack which resembles the one from the movie, but the peg is quite large and the hole in his back is quite small. It's a tight fit-- I wasn't able to get it in there without using boiling water to soften the peg. (And I fully admit, I have the strength of a small girl.) His rifle is pretty good, and the new helmet sculpt is superb. Deco is good, with some scrapes and damage, and the new head design is nice as well. I hesitate to say it's better than the previous release, but it's different and I can appreciate different.

The figure's body has quite a few new parts, some of which really add to the range of movement. Sadly, ball-jointed hips aren't present-- but oddly, rocker-jointed ankles are. So in theory, if you could spread his legs apart, his ankles could rotate in a way to always keep them flat on the ground if you wanted. Much like the large jetpack, it's a nice feature but one that cannot be fully appreciated in its present configuration. Cody has 14 joints, but lacks the bend-and-swivel wrists of the earlier Clones in the animated line. I'm going out on a limb and assuming we'll never, ever see them again.

I can't complain about the paint job, in particular a (I think) multi-colored tampo on his chest which I assume is for rank purposes. The movie versions have this bit sculpted, but I guess better it be flat than not included at all. It definitely adds to the look of the figure, which I would give a strong buy to collectors of the animated style. There's nothing wrong with the previous Codys, so if you're satisfied with whichever ones you have, I wouldn't consider this a must-buy upgrade. But it is good, and I do like it, and it's different from other animated Clones... so I'm not sorry I have it.

Collector's Notes: New! He's selling pretty well so far, so you may as well get him if/when you see him. Since he's a major character, I expect to see more of him later-- unless Hasbro axes the animated line, and sometimes I'm beginning to wonder if they're contemplating that.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,773: March 30, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,772: Qui-Gon Jinn

QUI-GON JINN Light-Up Lightsaber Blade!
Discover the Force Movie Heroes
Item No.: Asst. 87752 No. 36573
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH18
Includes: Stand, card, die
Action Feature: Light-up lightsaber
Retail: $8.99
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Qui-Gon Jinn battles Darth Maul in a deadly confrontation on Naboo. The Jedi Master first duels the Sith apprentice on Tatooine, barely escaping the confrontation, then faces him again on Naboo. Qui-Gon is up against a relentless enemy who tests his mastery of the lightsaber. Although he's strong in the Force, Qui-Gon battles for his life against this powerful foe. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.

Commentary: Old-school Kenner meets modern Hasbro! This Gui-Gon Jinn is an interesting synthesis of new and old design techniques to the point where I'm honestly not sure what to make of it. His shoulders and hips are classic joints like the 1970s figures, and he has no waist joint. If you remove the lower part of his robe-- easily done, as it's a belt tabbed in the back-- he can sit in pretty much any legit 1980s Kenner vehicle unless his lightsaber gets in the way. On the other hand, he has ball-jointed knees and a ball-jointed left elbow, plus a jointed wrist and a ball-jointed neck plus the best Liam Neeson head sculpt yet. It's so real, he could practically speak "I've got full-blown AIDS." (Did you watch "Life's Too Short?" The improv bit? With Ricky Gervais? It was funny. Anyway.) The pose is also similar to the old Kenner figures, and I get a kick out of that.

The other nifty thing-- and shortcoming-- is the figure's action feature, a swell light-up lightsaber which is activated by his belt. If you push the buckle, it lights up until you let go-- so fighting with lit-up sabers is difficult. My big complaint, though, is that the battery isn't replaceable. I don't know what this means for corrosion over the coming decades, which we as collectors are sort of worried about at times. There's a battery in this guy, and it ain't coming out. I don't like this. I love the feature and how it works, but I want to be able to replace the battery and it's my guess that I won't be able to buy a new one in 10+ years when the battery runs down or leaks or something. And I have to literally crack the figure open if I want to remove the battery. I know this may be a ridiculous thing to Hasbro, but seriously, consider your audience: a lot of people, maybe not the biggest market, are buying these and will hold on to them for years or decades. Is it safe to have a permanently-installed battery? (I'm not calling them out, I honestly don't know.)

I have zero understanding of why Hasbro put in the expense of giving him ball-jointed knees, but they did and there you go. I think this may be the best toy figure of Qui-Gon to date since he can actually sit and has a cool fun toy feature. Sure, his shoulders are a little broad, but if you can get beyond that this may be the best, funnest Qui-Gon Jinn figure Hasbro has ever and will ever make. Get it if you dare, fun lovers!

Collector's Notes: A relatively new release, this figure is a little tough to come by in the wilds of retail. Wave 1 of Movie Heroes may be in the way at a store near you.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,772: March 29, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,771: Colonel Dyer

COLONEL DYER Figure Debut!
The Legacy Collection Battle for Endor Battle Pack
Item No.: Asst. 87752 No. 91805
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: Fall 2009
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Rebels and Ewoks attack stormtroopers during the Battle of Endor. The Rebel strike team arrives on Endor's moon to demolish the shield generator protecting the Death Star. The Rebels are captured but a surprise attack by the Ewoks freese them, and a desperate battle ensues. Through the combined forces of the Endorian natives and Rebels, the generator is destroyed. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' old apartment.

Commentary: The Moff Jerjerrod body has been brought back to bring you Colonel Dyer. This is the only version of this character, which I believe is currently the closest release to the vintage "Imperial Officer" action figure-- he's got gloves, he's wearing black, that's pretty much all I'm asking for in terms of requirements here. (Nevermind the fact that the original officer was an Empire Strikes Back release.) Between this figure and Warok, I would consider the Battle for Endor Battle Pack a required purchase for anyone looking to get modern updates of the original 96+ Kenner action figures. (92 + Yak Face + 3 R2s & C-3POs +...)

Anyway. Hasbro is pretty good at making the most out of an old mold, as Dyer is basically a figure you already bought with a couple of tweaks. The torso is similar, the head is new, and of course he's wearing black-- but it's basically Moff Jerjerrod. This means he has no knee or ankle joints, his elbows are cut joints, and he doesn't sit particularly well-- and that's OK. I'm assuming most people are going to be getting this figure for dioramas or shelf displays, and this figure isn't much to play with. He looks cool, but he won't be doing a lot of sitting. His stormtrooper blaster accessory is quite nice, and the coloring of the figure is, obviously, decent-- it's hard to screw up "black uniform." For classic Kenner fans and Imperial loyalists, this is one fine figure-- although the set of Luke, Dyer, and Warok makes zero sense as a group, each individual figure is totally worth your while and I am quite pleased Hasbro cranked them all out together.

Collector's Notes: Despite being tailor-made for the original trilogy collector, this set lingered and was available quite cheaply at certain retail (and deep discount) outlets. If you were lucky, you could probably have scored it for as little as $10-$15, but now it's closer to $20-$25. It's also totally worth it for the best Battle Poncho Luke, the only Warok, and this nifty Imperial Officer figure.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,771: March 28, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,770: Battle Droid

BATTLE DROID Tan Edition
Discover the Force Movie Heroes Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 36563 No. 37751
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH04
Includes: Stand, card, die, blaster, firing blaster, projectile
Action Feature: Removable limbs
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Battle droids are the perfect soldiers - programmed to fight without hesitation and deployed in vast numbers that overwhelm opponents. Individually, though, their limited cognitive ability makes them vulnerable when they go up against skilled Jedi who can outwit and outmaneuver them. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.

Commentary: The very definition of "just different enough to make you mad," Hasbro decided to try our loyalty with this Battle Droid. Two versions of it-- the first release was tan, the second is red-- were released, and each one had a different Ultimate Battle Game card with different artwork. The figure is based on a removable limbs mold with 5 points of articulation, best known for being part of a 2-pack starting in 2002 with the deluxe C-3PO Droid Factory set. It was doubled up with itself in Saga Legends and was generally known as the cheapo Battle Droid, as the 2010 edition came with two stunning super-articulated versions for a mere $7-$8. This time around, though, we get the worst articulation at the highest price. This figure is not worth $9.

The deco is new-- the tan color is different from previous releases, as are the blast marks and dirty spots. The shoulders are clearly different, and there's a little color throughout. The paint job is quite nice, it's just that Hasbro is now selling you half of a $7 2-pack for $9. That's just wrong. The figure is nifty, but compared to the $10 Vintage edition one peg over, it's insulting. The figure has no real problems standing or sitting, and the standard blaster may plug in to his backpack. What's more, he includes a Clone Wars oversized rocket launcher which fits better in his hands than it does the animated droid. (Good call on that, Hasbro.) For the dozenth-plus take on a 2002 mold, this figure is about as good as they come-- and I sincerely hope they retire this mold for good after this year. Getting two of this mold in a set feels like a steal, but getting one for $9 feels like a ripoff. It's different from your other Battle Droids, though, so if you like armies or need every version you'll want to get this one too. I don't regret tracking this variant down, but that's because I have a problem. If you're a well-adjusted individual you may want to direct your discretionary income and spare time toward other, more meaningful pursuits than "this robot is slightly different than the 50 robots I already bought."

Collector's Notes: According to the date stamps on the cardback, the tan version was produced before the more common red version. Lately, I'm only seeing the tan one at Target stores so you may want to go there first if you intend on picking this one up. I have no doubt the running change was made when someone realized that a red color would set the mold apart from the vintage version, which is significantly better for basically the same price. I'd say this is a figure for collectors (or clearance) only.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,770: March 27, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,769: Star Tours Jedi Padawan

JEDI PADAWAN Small Boy
Star Tours Jedi Training Academy Set
Item No.: No. 87801
Number: n/a
Includes: Lightsaber, 4 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $34.99
Availability: June 2009
Appearances: n/a

Bio: STAR TOURS takes you to the Jedi Training Academy where you train to be a Jedi Knight! You and your fellow Padawans will experience the power of the Force and learn to battle with a lightsaber from a Jedi Master. May the Force be with you! (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' big AT-AT.

Commentary: After thousands of figures, I think I have a sort of Stockholm Syndrome when it comes to Hasbro reusing the same bodies again and again. I should be irritated that this Jedi Padawan was part of a fairly expensive boxed set you could only get at a theme park, but it does have a new head and that's pretty cool. The kid has extremely short hair, dark skin, and reuses the same body we saw on the likes of Ashla in 2003. When you get right down to it, this set has 5 figures but the actual retail value is closer to $20-$25. Anyway.

Despite reusing a 2003 body, the head sculpt is really quite good-- the eye paint is some of Hasbro's best, the sculpt is very lifelike, the hair texture is excellent, but there's a reason for this. We have no concept of what this kid should look like. When it comes to the human face it's quite easy to say "hey, that dude looks wrong" unless we have no frame of reference. Since I have no idea if this is based on a real person or is a mishmash of kids from around Hasbro, I can only say that the paint is crisp, the design is fantastic, and the kid looks happy. Because it's not from any real source, it's basically an action figure of a tourist in Jedi gear, or it could fill out any Jedi training diorama you might have. There's no denying this is a wonderful figure with a fantastic paint job, but it's hard to enthusiastically recommend an anonymous extra when there are hundreds (or a thousand) other great figures of more famous faces you should get first. Still, I wouldn't advise you to skip it-- the overall quality of work is some of Hasbro's best.

Collector's Notes: This figure's price on eBay is odd. Individually, he sells for $10, but the complete set of 5 figures goes for $25ish. So it looks like the sum is cheaper than its parts, which you should keep in mind when getting these. Get it in the set if you can, just remember that you're basically buying yet another spare Darth Vader and four nameless human Jedi characters.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,769: March 26, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,768: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER Orange, Unadorned
The Clone Wars Clone Troopers & Droids Battle Pack
Item No.: Asst. 94743 No. 19677
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, grappling hook, display stand, game card, 3 more figures
Action Feature: Firing rocket launcher
Retail: $24.99
Availability: June 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Clone troopers apply all their military training, warrior skills and weaponry to battle the endless army of "Clankers" during the Clone Wars. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' former kitchen.

Commentary: It's kind of amazing that we got to a point when writing about another Clone Trooper is something of a chore. This one is similar to the 2009 release, except the color is a smidgen different and he has an added grappling hook accessory. The entire set is quite good-- you get an orange 212th Battalion figure with a jetpack and two great droids, plus this guy. His range of movement is great-- you get articulated ankles, bend-and-swivel wrists, the works-- but it's still Just Another Clone Trooper, and his value is dependent entirely on your need for an army or how many clones you already have. The range of movement is good, the accessories are fun, and the complete set is, again, worth it. It's just that as a single unit, this figure may not be doing much for you. As filler goes, this figure is about as good as they come, but I wouldn't suggest tracking down the set just for it. (Now the Retail Droid? Absolutely.)

Collector's Notes: As Hasbro withdrew support of Battle Packs, the early wave sets (like this one) sat around for a while and may still be in a retail store near you. At a discounted price, this is a must-buy set. Even at full price it's pretty good-- four figures for $25 or so is, sadly, now quite the deal especially when one of them is an exclusive sculpt to this set.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,767: March 22, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,767: Imperial EVO Trooper

IMPERIAL EVO TROOPER The Force Unleashed: Sith & Imperial Troopers
The Legacy Collection Toys R Us Exclusive
Item No.: Asst. 33259 No. 33261
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 pistols, 1 grenade launcher
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $39.99
Availability: August 2011
Appearances: Star Wars: The Force Unleashed video game

Bio: Trained to survive the galaxy's most treacherous weather conditions, EVO troopers have enhanced armor that withstands heat, acid and lightning. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' former kitchen.

Commentary: The good (or bad) thing about figures like the Imperial EVO Trooper is that Hasbro can easily tweak them and release them for another round at retail. This is the third one. The figure was originally released in 2008 with some dirt on its shins and slightly different deco than this release. Number two had brown camo splotches, and hit in 2010. This one came out in 2011, and is my favorite so far-- I like having a figure with crisp detail and no mud on it. Little silver details are painted, as are the hoses and the red stripe on his helmet. The figure still has a flat, unpainted panel on its chest that looks like it probably could have benefitted from a tampo or extra sculpted detail. The figure has a big, all-black grenade launcher as well as two smaller clone pistols for you to misplace when you move. If you like the design, the figure is on par with most troopers from 2005 on-- you get 14 joints, sitting is sort of tricky, and the detail is pretty good. The armor is a little chunky and may get in the way of some poses, but at this scale it seems Hasbro is still perfecting articulation on this kind of figure. I expect you'll like it if you get it, and this figure was the only straight-up repaint of an existing toy in this particular gift set. It's a good one too.

Collector's Notes: You may be able to find this at a store near you right now. I suggest that you buy it-- some of the Force Unleashed stuff has been getting expensive after it finally disappears from retail.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,767: March 22, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,766: Ric Olie

RIC OLIE Hated Pegwarmer Reborn
Discover the Force Walmart Exclusive Wave
Item No.: Asst. 38601 No. 38603
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #/ of 12
Includes: Blaster, helmet, duster, display stand, card, die
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $8.96
Availability: February 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Naboo pilot Ric Olie battles droid starfighters in the Battle of Naboo. The pilot of Queen Amidala's Royal Starship, Olie leads Bravo Squadron in the attack that destroys the Droid Control Ship and stops the Battle Droid Army. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo area.

Commentary: It's bizarre to write about remakes of figures that I bought "new" over ten years ago, but here we are again with Ric Olie. Back in 1999-- and 2000, and in some areas, 2001-- he was a figure that tended to sit for a very long time. I think I even saw some in grocery stores in 2002, which is why I was really surprised Hasbro decided to mine this character for another go. According to the data I have now, this figure will not be on a Vintage cardback but the Naboo Pilot may be. (I say "may be" because it wouldn't stun me if Hasbro decided the current distribution was sufficient.) But Ric Olie? This is probably going to be his only appearance this year, and I would probably consider assuming this would be his final action figure appearance period.

Olie turned out well, and this is going to be the definitive figure. He shares tooling with the Naboo Pilot, with really only the head and helmet being different. Olie's goggles are down over his eyes, and his blaster now fits in his holster. As I type this, I do not have the new 2012 Naboo Fighter so I don't know if he'll fit. The quality of the sculpt is excellent, and obviously 14 points of articulation trumps the original's 6. However, 6 was sufficient for the pilot figure, the quality of the sculpt was pretty good, and this wasn't a character anyone was demanding. I'm glad Hasbro made Naboo pilots for 2012 and the Starfighter's reissue, but their exclusive status is interesting-- why does Walmart have all the pilots for the non-exclusive vehicles this year?

Ric Olie's duster is a cool accessory, and Hasbro did do a nice job updating him for the modern age of action figure collecting. Still... your old one is probably just fine. I buy these things due to deep emotional scars which can only be healed with plastic. If you're in this boat too, or if you missed the first Ric Olie, go ahead and buy this new one. Ralph Brown thanks you.

Collector's Notes: You may be able to find this at a store near you right now. Surprisingly, this entire wave seems to have been stocked at even the smaller, shall we say awful Walmarts in my area.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,766: March 21, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,765: Spacetrooper

SPACETROOPER Space... uh... trooper
The Legacy Collection Shared Exclusive Expanded Universe Wave
Item No.: Asst. 87535 No. 99305
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #BD58
Includes: None, but 2011 Saga Legends release has a gun
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: May 2010
Appearances: Expanded Universe

Bio: Spacetroopers are high-ranking Imperial commandos who wear powersuit armor designed for space combat. These Zero-G Assault Troopers are considered "walking tanks" because of the extensive weaponry built into their suits. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' former bathroom.

Commentary: The 1998 release of this figure became something of a rare item, and the 2010 Spacetrooper wasn't much easier to find. It was rereleased in 2011 with Wioslea's blaster, meaning you can get it, but if you want the BG-J38 build-a-droid part it might mean you need to spend some effort. Slightly taller than the 1998 release, this figure was delayed a bit (coincidence?) and also part of a final wave, just like his ancestor. He's a little bulkier, whiter, and has more painted detail-- oh, and more articulation. In all honesty, the only thing the 1998 has over the 2010 release is the forearm-stored blasters. In 1998, the sculpt was designed so it could be put away. In the 2010 figure, it's permanently out. He can stand, he looks cool, but the funny thing is that this one was one of the few 1998 Expanded Universe figures I had no real associations with, and I still don't. I didn't realize where he came from at first, I discovered him as a background character in the comics but even then, it's not like he struck a chord with me to the point where I am particularly excited about him today.

It's a nice figure. It looks cool, it has a jointed rocket pack, but it's one of those figures that basically goes straight into the storage bins for me. Even though I'm not familiar with all the characters from the comics, novels, and so on, the few books or comics or games I do experience often tell me enough about who they are, and Wookieepedia is good at filling in the rest. This guy is just kinda there-- a cool-looking trooper, but not one with sufficient personality. Another Spacetrooper was made in 2009, but that one was just a normal Stormtrooper with a bunch of space gear. And oddly, I had a stronger connection to that one.

Collector's Notes: This figure may still be available on the 2010-style Saga Legends cardback, and I give kudos to Hasbro to putting him out again. I hope they do that more with other troopers. Today you should be able to score one for $8 or less before shipping.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,765: March 20, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,764: Darth Maul

DARTH MAUL with Spinning Lightsaber Action
Discover the Force Movie Heroes Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 36563 No. 37752
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #MH05
Includes: Stand, card, die, lightsaber
Action Feature: Dials on back move hand, arm
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2012
Appearances: The Phantom Menace

Bio: Darth Maul has undergone years of demanding and brutal training under his master Darth Sidious to become an incredible Sith warrior. He demonstrates his skill by expertly spinning his double-bladed lightsaber. He attacks with precision and ferocity, twirling the twin blades to strike his Jedi opponent. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' boxes.

Commentary: Based on a 2002 Expanded Universe release, this Darth Maul takes the old Sith Training Robes release and actually removes elements. The 2002 release had added red striping on the outfit and a magnet in his hand, plus a few Sith Probes. This? This doesn't have those.

So yeah, it's lacking in stuff. The lightsaber is the basic Maul saber from 1999, but the dials are still on his back. One rotates his right wrist, the other raises and lowers his right arm. As a mechanism, it's pretty cool as it effectively gives you some ability to control his motor skills beyond "hit this button and his arm flails wildly."

Ultimately, I feel this-- and a lot of the Movie Heroes repacks-- are sort of lazy and sort of neat. From the angle of "this is different and therefore notable," it's cool-- new versions of Maul that are genuinely different aren't common. Still, it's just the same ol' 2002 figure, at twice the price, with fewer accessories. For the record, he's got just north of 10 joints and was released just before ball joints started to be a thing. Each knee has two cut joints which allow for some great combat poses, and the overall level of detail is actually quite good. The texture in his robes are great, but it struck me as Hasbro passing off an existing figure as "movie Maul" just to get something on the shelves faster. Soooo.... yeah. Maul Enthusiasts Only, maybe?

Collector's Notes: You could do better. You could do worse. You should be able to get this one at retail with a little effort, as in, "go outside and live in North America."

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,764: March 19, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,763: Clone Trooper (Gearshift)

CLONE TROOPER possibly "Gearshift"
The Clone Wars Legacy of Terror DVD Set
Item No.: Asst. 30411 No. 31677
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #1 of 2
Includes: Stand, game card, blaster, Obi-Wan Kenobi figure
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $9.99
Availability: March 2012
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Obi-Wan and clone troopers discover a macabre legacy of terror on Geonosis. The Jedi General and a team of clone troopers enter a Geonosian temple and find an underground hive of undead Geonosian warriors, their menacing queen - and the frightening brain worms she uses to control her zombie army! (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' photo hole.

Commentary: The Clone Trooper and Obi-Wan Kenobi DVD 2-pack was announced at Comic-Con 2011 last July, with an August on-shelf date. Simple, right? Well, sort of-- sometimes exclusives get delayed quite a bit, especially in the last couple of years where a few items ended up in different retailers entirely or were simply quietly canceled. Since this set started showing up in European packaging and in a few Asian auctions, it seemed obvious that it was made-- but where were the US packaged versions? And why weren't they at Walmart like they were supposed to be? We don't know, but we do know that the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls chains of closeout stores (which share a lot of inventory) got them. Since it just showed up this week, your mileage may vary but I suggest you run out to your stores this weekend to go looking. Due to the high foot traffic in these stores, parents and non-collectors can gobble them up before you even knew you missed them.

Anyway, now this item exists, and as of yesterday we know for a fact you can go buy one. I ran to Marshalls after work and found what seemed to be a case, already beat up a bit, but devoid of any Walmart stickering. (Some previous Ross/Max/Marshalls closeouts had the stickers manually removed.) So for the time being, it's less an exclusive than it was a "dumped" item. Between the two sets there are two significantly different figures, one repack, and one that's just different enough to make you mad. This Clone is the one with the best new tooling, as his helmet was tweaked to include those really cool head lamps seen in many episodes of the show. This mold could be used to refresh several styles of the troopers, but as Hasbro seems to be slowly winding down this line it seems unlikely that we'll see these cool lamps again any time soon. The figure uses the 2008 body type (ankles!) and is similar to the existing 212th Battalion Clone Troopers. Named specifically "Clone Trooper" on his card, it's unknown if it's one of many unnamed troopers or Gearshift, who looks the same, or if it matters. What I do know is that if you want it, it's ten bucks, and for every one you buy for your army you'll get another Obi-Wan Kenobi figure you don't want. (I like Obi-Wan, I just have been "forced" to buy many in the name of my clone army.)

The deco is more or less normal for a clone, so when you get right down to it the main reason to buy this set are the lamps on his helmet. As a trooper fan, I'll buy any clone with a change to its sculpt without a lot of complaining, and I like it. I wish it was sold on a single card so I could get them cheaper, but the rising costs of single figures compared to this two-pack makes that complaint moot. For $10, this is a fun set if you don't have an Obi-Wan Kenobi, or too many Clone Troopers, or the episode "Legacy of Terror" on DVD or Blu-Ray. As a kid item, it's wonderful. (Scary, but wonderful.) I mean, it's ten bucks for two good figures and 30 minutes of entertainment. It's hard to go wrong for that, Hasbro can (and should [and is]) do more of this kind of product-- recent Transformers Prime Cyberverse toys have been spotted with DVDs as well. Back in the 1980s, we had "Listen & Fun" sets which had a goofy audio cassette adventure and a toy, so we've come a long way.

Collector's Notes: Originally announced as a Walmart exclusive, this is one of many sets originally announced as an exclusive to the chain which ended up on clearance at other stores later. Does this mean anything? Probably not, other than the market may have finally achieved a level of Star Wars saturation. Given some years have had north of 200-300 figures (counting Battle Packs), a little reduction or correction is probably a good thing, and given the lack of new Clone Wars product on the shelves these days I would say this is an exciting release. It doesn't take much. So don't shell out for this on eBay, people of March 2012: go check your local T.J. Maxx and Marshalls first.

One last note: the date stamp reads 11851, meaning it was produced on or about July 4, 2011. Knowing how long it takes a container of toys to get from China to the USA, this would've probably put it at a mid-August arrival at a US port, and for all I know this means it was later than Walmart wanted it and they said "nevermind," but this is just speculation. Maybe Walmart just didn't want it any more, period, which is unfortunate given exclusives seemed a little light late last year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,763: March 16, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,762: R4-H5

R4-H5 Wal-Mart Exclusive
30th Anniversary Collection Droid Factory
Item No.: Asst. 12980 No. 87757
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: 4 of 6
Includes: Kit Fisto, piece of C-3PX
Action Feature: Removable third leg, rotate dome to raise sensorscope
Retail: $9.99
Availability: May 2008
Appearances: Clone Wars

Bio: Jedi Master Kit Fisto is equally comfortable in air or water. R4-H5 flies in Fisto's starfighter to help navigate to help navigate and repair the ship. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' boxes.

Commentary: People love Kit Fisto, which means Hasbro made him a couple (yes, two) Jedi Starfighters plus an Astromech Droid named R4-H5. It stands as a pretty great monument to Hasbro's line, you've got several characters who get their own personal squad of vehicles. Captain Kirk only gets the Enterprise, so screw you Kirk!

From 2006-2008, we got an amazing run of vehicles and droids that belong to major and semi-major characters. Fisto's droid came in a Wal-Mart 2-pack with a repaint of Kit which came with a unique robe, and R4 has never been reissued. This was also, I believe, his first full-body appearance as he didn't show up much in the comics or TV shows. Fisto's Starfighter had a built-in droid, so this guy's not exactly necessary unless you want to use this movie-style figure for the animated 2010 Clone Wars vehicle.

Based on the Vintage 2004 R2-D2 body, the figure has a glued-in instrument panel and a rotating dome with a pop-up sensorscope. His third leg is removable-- not retractable-- and he has a wicked cool green and orange paint job. Just in terms of the fact it looks sort of like a pile of vegetables, I can't not love this figure.

Collector's Notes: These 2-packs, and a lot of items from this era, are all pretty cheap. If you can get all 6 C-3PX "Droid Factory" sets for $60 or less, just get the lot of 'em. It's worth it for the droids alone, but hey I'm biased. I love robots.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,762: March 15, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,761: SCUBA Clone Trooper

SCUBA CLONE TROOPER with Republic Assault Submarine
The Clone Wars Class I Vehicles
Item No.: Asst. 36576 No. 37017
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: 2 rockets, stand, submarine, backpack, 2 dart guns, 2 swim fins, figure stand, game card
Action Feature: STAP vehicle has launching rockets
Retail: $17.99
Availability: March 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: An assault submarine glides through the water piloted by a scuba clone trooper. Marine missions require special methods for assault and reconnaisance, as demonstrated by the Republic's "Devilish" OMS (One Man Submersible). The versatile subs can be operated underwater or on the surface of the water. Either way, scuba clone troopers can attack from the sea, firing the sub's torpedo launcher at the enemy. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk.

Commentary: Return of the squared-off t-crotch! Rejoice! The SCUBA Clone Trooper is a fun mix of 1980s and 2010s toymaking techniques. Since he has those squared-off hips, he can actually do things like sit-- this works way better than other figures in the line, and reminds me of the good ol' days in 1995-1997 when most figures were designed with sitting in mind. Today, it's more of an afterthought, and some figures simply don't (or can't) sit. The figure has giant beefy shoulder armor which borders on ridiculous, but maybe they're going for a "floaty" motif. They're pretty big on the TV show too, so let's assume this was intentional. The deco is good-- clean armor, with some red stripes. He has ankle joints, wrist joints, and pretty much all the joints you could want on a Clone figure short of the bend-and-swivel wrists. Nicely done, Hasbro.

The accessories are also exceptional-- and for $18, they should be. In addition to the transformable vehicle, which goes from a sort of a jetski thing to a quasi-submarine thing, you get firing rockets, two undersea clone blasters, swim fins, and a SCUBA pack. The neat thing about the SCUBA gear is how it does and does not work well. Much like the 1980s G.I. Joe Hydro Viper, it has hoses which connect the mask to a backpack so the figure can breathe underwater. Also like the Hydro Viper, getting it to stay put can be tricky. The mask fits over the clone's "face" with tiny little grooves, and if you bump the figure too much it may just pop off. This is an instance where just gluing it in place might not be a bad idea. It looks good, but the white of the mask doesn't quite match the rest of the armor. Still, since the rest has grey and a reddish color which more or less matches 16bit.com's layout, I'm pretty happy with it.

I love aquatic figures and I dig clones, so this all-new sculpt with nice gear and a fun vehicle is pretty cool. I feel that the whole jetski thing has been done to death, but I do appreciate the two modes as it gives the vehicle a little more play value than it had to be. This was a good execution of an idea that could've been done a lot more cheaply, so kudos to Hasbro on a job well done.

Collector's Notes: The companion vehicle in this assortment shipped to online retailers as early as January, but this one didn't hit until about March. I have yet to see it in stores, but you may be able to order it online. As some big box retail stores are phasing out a lot of SKUs that aren't basic figures, you may want to keep your eyes peeled and don't hesitate to buy it if you see it. Much like the previous "mini vehicle with figure" assortment, it wouldn't surprise me if Hasbro didn't plan on doing too many more of these this year.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,761: March 14, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,760: Prince Xizor

PRINCE XIZOR vs. Darth Vader
Shadows of the Empire Comic Pack Assortment
Item No.: Asst. 69590 No. 69567
Manufacturer: Kenner
Number: n/a
Includes: Staff, Darth Vader figure, comic book
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $11.99
Availability: Summer 1996
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back

Bio: Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, has instilled terror throughout the galaxy since the beginning of the Empire. His devotion to the Emperor and mastery of the dark side gives him more power than any single individual in the galaxy except for the Emperor himself. Draped completely in black and wielding the ability to take a life with a mere gesture, Darth Vader stands as the incarnation of evil. His dislike of Prince Xizor is intense and his distrust well-founded. Though Vader would gladly eliminate Xizor, Emperor Palpatine has need of Black Sun's shipping operations to speed construction of the new Death Star. Xizor had best watch his back however, as Vader's control of the dark side of the Force makes him a most formidable foe. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' kitchen.

Commentary: Back in the 1990s, six points of articulation were impressive, and Prince Xizor was one of the first characters to get two same-outfit figures. Basically similar to, but posed differently than the individually carded release, this figure has a less-crazy weapon. Sort of. Sure, he has a giant staff-- symbolism?-- but the regular one came with two interlocking energy fan blade things which just aren't very cool. Staffs are cool. And as an American, I am required to say guns are good. (Seriously, they'll deport me if I don't.) But anyway, he's also got a robe which you can remove if you really want, it's open in the back like a hospital gown to show off his green spine.

The vaguely Asian armor allows the figure little movement, you can sort of move his legs at the hip and his arms and head turn freely. The waist joint moves a bit... and that's it. The head sculpt is pretty weak-- he's a little leathery, he has two shoots of hair coming off his head-- and it's sort of charming in a 1990s way. Hasbro did better with Xizor in 2008, and that figure was also a remarkably poor seller. You can probably get that one at that crap Wal-Mart a few miles from the good one.

Collector's Notes: It's cheap if you want it-- it's a neat package from the declining years of Kenner, and for those reasons I like it. I wouldn't necessarily say you need it... but if you love the 1990s, you need this.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,760: March 13, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,759: Barriss Offee

BARRISS OFFEE Jedi Padawan
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 97568 No. 28619
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC51
Includes: Lightsaber, hilt, cloak
Action Feature: Removable cloak
Retail: $8.99
Availability: June 2011
Appearances: Attack of the Clones

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Fore be with you! (Taken from the figure's packaging. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Ultarama.

Commentary: I like a good Jedi figure, and Barriss Offee is a good Jedi figure. You want a lightsaber hilt for her belt? It's here. A fully-lit weapon? That too. Cloth robes so she can be posed in fun action scenarios or maybe even sit in a vehicle? Yes! Hasbro did a nice job here. Her cloak is entirely plastic, the prototype shown at Toy Fair 2011's slide show was cloth. The plastic one is better. (Some of you may disagree. You are wrong.)

Her face make-up is great, the little markings over her nose go great against her green skin and bright eyes. She's got a fair amount of personality, and colorful humanoid heads tend to translate quite nicely to collectible form. Replicating human skintone is tough, but green seems to basically be green and it looks great. I'm not sure how old she's supposed to be, I'm assuming she's an adult as Hasbro's previous 2003 figure of this character had a screaming face and a giant rack. Not that you have to be an adult to scream, but it seems like she had a bit of a reduction for this release. And good for her.

Collector's Notes: After a brief release in 2011, she is supposedly on the way back to stores in the 2012 assortment. As in "it sorta looks the same" but when you check the SKU on the cardback, believe you me, it's going to be different. Oh yes, it will be different.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,759: March 12, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,758: Clone Trooper

CLONE TROOPER 212th Battalion
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 97568 No. 30018
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #VC38
Includes: Helmet, rifle, blaster
Action Feature: Removable Helmet
Retail: $8.99
Availability: January 2011
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Fore be with you! (Taken from the figure's packaging. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' G.I. Joe backdrop.

Commentary: OK, so this Clone Trooper is basically the 2010 TVC release, except with some paint. The plain white one was pretty bland, particularly since many samples came missing a few markings. This one makes up for it, and while his helmet isn't a fan favorite, it's nice to have a super-articulated 212th Clone Trooper with hip joints. I like the guns-- the smaller, basically more authentic ones-- but they aren't painted. The armor itself has black and orange, and lacks the slick battle damage of the 2006 release... of which I have many. This figure is a great addition to a squad to mix things up and add some variety, but visually it doesn't look better than the cheaper 2006 ancestor.

If you like figures which work well with vehicles, or are pretty neat at being posed, this is worth snagging. Just don't overpay for it, there are more 212th clones out there from other releases, gift sets, and so on.

Collector's Notes: Of the token "repaint" wave of early 2011, this one seemed to disappear the fastest-- and Hasbro got this weird "oh no! Troopers don't sell!" attitude around the same time, not taking into account that it's because they just came off of two very plain, very boring troopers during a price increase and neither of which were particularly interesting to look at. So yeah, this dude suffered. Will the same happen with the much-delayed TVC 501st Trooper? (Probably.) I'm so old I remember the days where Hasbro would make a trooper and stick it in cases for months to come, I reckon.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,758: March 9, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,757: Ekelarc Yong

EKELARC YONG Rebel Pilot
The Legacy Collection Battle Over Endor
Item No.: Asst. 97639 No. 21451
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #1 of 2
Includes: Blaster, helmet, hoses, 3 additional figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99-$31.99
Availability: January 2011
Appearances: Return of the Jedi

Bio: Bravery. Skill. Loyalty. These are defining characteristics of the starfighter pilots on both sides of the conflict at the Battle of Endor. Whether they are Rebels or Imperials, these elite pilots are all focused on the same goal: victory. They are deeply aware that they are deciding the future of the galaxy, and will do everything they can to complete their mission. (Taken from the figure's packaging. Note, there's no character-specific copy on the packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Battle Over Endor backdrop.

Commentary: As the line continues, I can call people filthy liars for saying they've "always wanted that character." I recognize the costume of Ekelarc Yong from the films, but ain't nobody got a clue of what his name was until recently. Heck, I still don't know what it is. Electric Gong? Alacrity Bong? Three yaks and a dog? Linda? (Apologies to Ben Edlund and laxative log.) I'm not sure how it's pronounced either.

As first names go, I'm either showing my complete cultural ignorance and/or insensitivity to the names from other cultures, or the Lucas camp is just pulling Scrabble tiles out of a hat. The body is based on the 2008 B-Wing Pilot body with a new head and a nifty helmet. Oh, and because of the bulk and heft in the crotchial region, the dude can't sit in the recent Y-Wing vehicles. Boo Hasbro, boo. As a collector of figures, I admire the deco, the tampo on the helmet, the color scheme. It's a pretty nice figure. But as a toy? Ugh. I've got a TVC Y-Wing that needs a pilot, chop-chop. It's a shame you have such a great looking pilot figure that, released in 2011, preceded a wonderful Y-Wing WITH an astromech slot that cannot easily accept this figure as a driver.

Collector's Notes: While by no means essential, it's cool and probably still available at a Toys R Us near you. This is the only white-suit Y-Wing Pilot action figure, and as such I consider it worth a look just because as Rebel pilots go, this one stands out as being distinctive. If you aren't picky about vehicle and figure compatibility, this figure (and set) is delightful.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,757: March 8, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,756: Clone Trooper Hevy

CLONE TROOPER HEVY Training Gear
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 26378
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW41
Includes: Helmet, blaster rocket, rocket launcher, stand, card, die
Action Feature: Rocket launches
Retail: $7.99
Availability: January 2011
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: Clone Trooper Hevy trains for battle on Kamino. Hevy is part of Domino Squad, which is doing poorly in their training exercises. During one battle simulation, the trooper practices with a Z-6 rotary blaster cannon. He and his squad members ultimately overcome their differences to work together successfully as a team. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' G.I. Joe backdrop.

Commentary: Ah, Domino Squad. They deliver... the pain! (Sorry.) Clone Trooper Hevy was the first of (so far) two clones in the padded training armor, the second of which just hit recently. I like the figure's unique armor, and the "1" scribbled on to his chest helps to point out that he's in charge. Well, he's in charge of the group of losers, anyway. His removable helmet has a clear visor, a nice touch for dramatic purposes on the show. It's unique in the world of figures because Hasbro very rarely releases troopers with a clear visor, except Rebel pilots and the cut-out helmets of a few Rebel hijackers from the Empire comics. Where was I? Right, Hevy. You wanna get Hevy.

His giant rocket launcher is painted in spots, giving it a lot more detail for pennies. It's great, I dig it. The yellow helmet is open to his plain ol' standard-issue head, complete with the flat hairdo. He has a little difficulty sitting, but that's OK-- you want this guy to stand and shoot anyway.

Collector's Notes: This figure is fairly common, if you have a store which hasn't cleared out the 2010-2011 style packaging you should be able to get him. Cheaply. This mold has only been redecorated once, so there are opportunities to do up the rest of Domino Squad and other teams, too. I'm game if you are Hasbro.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,756: March 7, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,755: Clone Trooper Draa

CLONE TROOPER DRAA includes Clone Trooper Gear
The Clone Wars Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 94736 No. 25275
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: #CW35
Includes: Display base, card, die, rifle, backpack, pistol, launcher
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $6.99
Availability: November 2010
Appearances: The Clone Wars TV show

Bio: Clone trooper Draa fights battle droids on Geonosis. Draa is part of a Republic mission to destroy a Separatist droid factory. Under the command of Jedi General Luminara Unduli, Draa fights the droids with an arsenal of weapons including a blaster pistol, blaster rifle, and missile launcher. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' TV Tray.

Commentary: While Hasbro has seemingly phased out "classic" generic (as in, nameless) clones from the line, they've still got the mold to keep using. Clone Trooper Draa is one of many figures based on the revised "Stone" body, which is code for no ankle joints and swivel wrists.

Fans of weapons should run out and get as many of this figure as possible. Draa is unique in that the green-striped clone comes with three different guns and a backpack, and there's no spring-loaded gun to sully the eye. I like spring-loaded goofy weapons, but my love of them is conditional. If they're too big to carry, they stop being fun, so this figure does a decent job of just being a collector-friendly release. The red helmet marks are a nice touch, and he fits in nicely with the small number of other green troopers in the line. As to getting Luminara Unduli, well, good luck with that. If you can find it at retail, it'sa good figure. I'd even say its a great starting point to collect this line, just because it gives you a nice chunk of accessories at the get-go.

Collector's Notes: The figure came and went fast, which means you missed it and now it's time for eBay. I'd love to see Hasbro bring this configuration back with new deco.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,755: March 6, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,753: IG-86

IG-86 ASSASSIN DROID Ambush on the Vulture's Claw
The Clone Wars Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87752 No. 87988
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blasters, backpack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $24.99
Availability: Fall 2009
Appearances: The Clone Wars

Bio: An assassin droid - activated by Anakin's new R2 unit - attacks Anakin and Ahsoka. (Taken from the figure's packaging.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' desk

Commentary: For some reason, Hasbro really loved repainting the IG-86 mold. It's a nice mold-- one of Hasbro's best, given it had wonderful articulation and tons of joints allowing for surprising amounts of weird poses. This version was released in the super-cool Ambush on the Vulture's Claw Battle Pack, and is-- say it with me-- just different enough to make you mad. There are no fewer than four distinctive versions of the figure, not including variations with in those versions, and this one is a favorite due to how Kenner-y it is. It lacks the scrapes of the first release, but has a little dirt on him. The red lights are still present, the backpack is here, and his guns are black-- the previous release was blue or grey, His deco is very similar to the Cad Bane and IG-86 2-pack sold at Target a while back, but different enough. You know the drill.

The figure's ability to stand and sit is hard to beat, with shoulder and hip joints which can swivel out and let him do jumping jacks, were you so inclined. It's an impressive specimen and not one Hasbro has tried to top as of late. As such, get one-- if not this version, one of the others, because it's a strong mold. And in his other forms, cheaper.

Collector's Notes: The secondary market asking price for this set is quite high, but it looks like there are few takers. I love this set to pieces, but it's not worth $100. The $50ish going rate seems a bit better. I hope Hasbro reissues it.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,754: March 5, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,753

REBEL TROOPER Capture of Tantive IV
30th Anniversary Collection Battle Packs
Item No.: Asst. 87503 No. 87212
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: n/a
Includes: Blaster, removable helmet, 4 other figures
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $19.99
Availability: February 2007
Appearances: Star Wars

Bio: Though inexperienced in combat against trained and determined fighters like the Imperial stormtroopers that swarmed onto their ship, these troopers were utterly loyal to Princess Leia and the Rebel Alliance. They fought to the last man in defense of their ship. (Taken from the figure's box.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' boxes

Commentary: After skipping him entirely for the first 20 years of the franchise (imagine that-- 20 years!) the Rebel Trooper began getting more releases than anyone expected. This mold alone has had no fewer than 5 unique head sculpts, plus a comic book-themed redeco. It has also been eclipsed-- the 2011 Vintage Collection version of the figure is really sharp, but for the purposes of dioramas and cannon fodder, the older ones are mostly quite good too. Based on the late 2001 mold, this figure came out in 2007 with a new head sculpt and a removable helmet to set it apart from previous releases. The Capture of Tantive IV Battle Pack was an excellent value in its day, if for no reason other than to throw out the Darth Vader figure and keep the 2 Rebels and 2 Stormtroopers.

Back in 2001, the mold was pretty impressive with its unusual swiveling legs that allowed for the figure to kneel and aim his blaster. By 2007, fans were screaming for a new take on the trooper, and it would take a little longer for one to actually show up. With only 12 joints (and no ball joints), the figure was dismissed as being primitive, but I can't help but like it for what it is. If it means getting a cheaper figure, I don't need 8 ball joints-- sometimes I just need somebody to be shot in the fface, and this figure works for that purpose nicely. He has a bit of a sneer, so I can't say I feel bad about Stormtroopers stomping him. He has a blaster, and little hope of surviving the first wave of an Imperial attack.

If you buy this set, this figure will probably not impress you. The leg engineering wasn't reused on many other Star Wars Hasbro figures, but it was used on 21st Century Toys military figures. (This construction was used on a 2002 Darth Maul.) His vest is removable, if you feel like having that fight, but I would suggest grabbing him if you can get him cheap. I'm hoping Hasbro will make an actual Blockade Runner vehicle in 2015, and I've got about a dozen Rebel Fleet Troopers (not counting the 1997 one, because he sucked then and sucks now) to populate it should the need arise.

Collector's Notes: The secondary market pricing for this set is at (or under) retail, which given inflation is good news. The boxed set looks pretty nice, so you may just want to get one to leave in the box with the diorama-style packaging. I ended up with a bunch of these due to damaged units showing up missing figures, someone got these and stole the Darth Vaders out of them. Which is dumb. Why not steal the Stormtroopers? I'll never understand some forms of thievery.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,753: March 2, 2012

Star Wars Figure of the Day: Day 1,752: AT-RT Driver

AT-RT DRIVER Or, Clone
The Vintage Collection Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. 97568 No. 28438
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: VC46
Includes: Helmet, rifle, other rifle, backpack
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $7.99
Availability: February 2011
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Celebrate the legendary Star Wars saga that changed the universe forever! This collection brings to life the incredible story of good versus evil that captured our imagination and took us to a galaxy far, far away. Iconic Star Wars heroes and villains are captured with incredible detail and premium features to commemorate each epic tale in the Star Wars saga. May the Fore be with you! (Taken from the figure's packaging. There is no bio.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' Ultarama

Commentary: Adventure! Excitement! Three waves in to 2011, it would seem a Star Wars collector craves not these things. New characters were far and few between, so an upgrade of the AT-RT Driver-- especially without an easily purchased movie-style AT-RT on the market since 2005-- seemed odd. Sure, it's a quality figure, but the usual questions of "why him?" and "why now?" are hard to ignore. Of course, now a year has passed, so I guess this kind of thing doesn't matter so much. With 14 points of articulation, he's on par with the 2005 release while having a slightly improved range of movement. The sculpt is crisper, the deco is just a little better, and the removable backpack is a nice touch. While better than previous releases, I wouldn't say it's significantly better except in the articulation department. The addition of ball-jointed hips allow him to better ride a vehicle, but since Hasbro has kept movie AT-RTs out of circulation he may not be a figure that you noticed you were missing just yet.

It's a strange place to be in to have a figure like this-- which is nicely sculpted, well-engineered, and nicely accessorized-- and find it boring. It's an AT-RT Driver, and a good one. The 2005 one was really good too. Given the vast difference in pricing, I suppose get whatever floats your boat-- the extra movement in the 2011 release makes it superior, but it's hard to argue with a cheaper figure, especially if you already own it. There's nothing wrong with the new figure, just like there was nothing wrong with the old one. New or different deco may have been more exciting, if Hasbro tossed in a repaint I might be a little more jazzed. As it is, I feel like this is Hasbro saying "You love troopers, right? And drivers? Here's another one, about 14% better than the one you already have!"

Collector's Notes: The secondary market pricing for this figure is at (or under) retail, while the 2005 version is as low as $2. It's hard to argue with the numbers, but if you like vintage packaging the new one is the clear winner. It's also (possibly) at a store near you, which is a plus.

--Adam Pawlus

Day 1,752: March 1, 2012