The Black Series 3 3/4-Inch Basic Figures
Item No.: Asst. A5077 No. A5634
Manufacturer: Hasbro
Number: Black Series #23
Includes: Blaster, rifle
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $10.99
Availability: June 2014
Appearances: The Empire Strikes Back
Bio: Imperial Snowtrooper Commanders unleash the full force of their weapons and troopers on the Rebel Alliance's base on the ice planet Hoth. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)
Image: Adam's photo lab.
Availability: Click here to buy it at Entertainment Earth now!
Commentary: While not always labeled as such, we've had a few Snowtrooper Commander figures since 2003 or so. Most of them were pretty action-oriented, and they all shared the same torso (although there was retooling in 2006 to fit in a removable helmet and a clone head.) This version is unique in that it has a ball-jointed helmet, so it rotates freely and looks great. The smooth mask looks just like what we saw of the commanders on the AT-AT, and the poses are limited by the 14 points of articulation. Even though he should just stand around and nod, it's nice to have options. Rotating writs give this all-new sculpt a lot of personality but also pop off incredibly easily. To get him to hold his three-piece rifle, it's easier to remove the hand first because you're going to knock it off anyway.
The plastic kama prevents sitting, but again that's OK since this figure exists mostly to stand anyway. Hasbro gave him a torso that bends forward and in all directions, and for the first time ever his kama has a holster for a bonus "Han Solo" pistol. Two guns, wowie zowie! The figure's sculpt is crisp, his paint is clean, and the "cloth" parts aren't overly wrinkly. This may well be Hasbro's finest Snowtrooper, with the recently released Saga Legends version being a great, cheap henchman. Or it would, if you had a chance in Hell of finding one in American shelves right now. Without question, if you can stand another upgrade, go get this Snowtrooper Commander. It's great. It lacks mud. You're going to love it, or at least like it.
Collector's Notes: This figure started shipping from online toy stores late in June 2014. At press time I have not heard of him showing up in big box shops.
--Adam Pawlus
Day 2,088: July 3, 2014
When did this fig come out with a clone head? I thought I remember the saga 2 version having a holster in the skirt...
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of the earlier figure with the holster on the kama. Unfortunately, those are the ones that started getting a green tinge, and I replaced them with (I think) the Vintage Collection version, with the soft "skirt." But yes, the holster on the skirt has been done previously.
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