The first of the Bad Batch figures for Season 2 were released in late July 2023. The wave was a US Walmart Exclusive, while it was sold via the Fan Channel retailers here in the UK. Tech arrives in the window-less packaging with the figure illustrated on the front, side and reverse of the box with the slanted side carrying the usual artwork in the accent colour, which is deep red for The Bad Batch. Tech is number 16 in the Galaxy Collection Bad Batch series, following on from Season 2 Hunter and preceding Season 2 Echo from the same wave.
Tech at first glance appears to be the exact same figure as the Season 1 release from 2021, just with some repainted armour. In the main, this is accurate, with the body in its entirety the same as the first release but now updated with a blue undersuit and orange accent colours to the armour. The belt piece is the same, but now cast in a brighter brown. And the backpack is a full reuse, with the two aerial pieces packed separately - which did confuse me initially as there is no reference to this on or in the box. As before, the backpack slots into the figure's back by way of a shaped socket, and it doesn’t have any opening functionality - it is purely decorative.
The significant change with Season 2 Tech lies in the helmet. One of the key criticisms of the first figure is the glasses and helmet were in one piece, leaving an unfamiliar Tech head underneath when unmasked. This time around, Hasbro have cracked the issue by sculpting the goggles onto Tech’s head, then working out a helmet that fits over the head and incorporates the glasses as part of the helmet once worn. The principle of this works really well, although in practice getting the helmet on - and particularly off again - is tricky. However, the aesthetics are brilliant! The helmet also features the articulated visor which can be swung down over the goggles for another different look.
The Tech head sculpt remains as it was in 2021 with the goggles applied over the top of the head and fixed in place. The goggles include translucent yellow lenses, which still allow the eyes to be visible underneath and these eyes and the facial features are finished off with photo-real print technology for an added layer of realism.
Tech features 19 points of articulation on a fully pinless body. Despite the armour he has plenty of movement in both the legs and arms, and plenty of posing options to work in tandem with his accessory set. These accessories include the single DC-17 blaster pistol from the first release (and most other Clone characters) and this is cast in black plastic with no further decor. It fits into Tech’s right hand but still lacks a holster for stowing in when not in use. Tech also features the trio of tools that were also part of the first release. These are cast in grey with the pincers also featuring a painted black central band. These can be held in the left hand, which includes a tighter grip, or stowed away on Tech’s belt where there are three loops to hold them in situ.
Tech was one of the standout Bad Batch releases from 2021, and this new figure does take it up a notch with the innovation around the helmet and a head sculpt now featuring Tech’s trademark goggles. Fans of the original figure can also do a retro swap if they wish for a more accurate Season 1 look. The re-use of the Season 1 figure isn't an issue for me considering the transition in the show was only decorative, and the price point for what is an exclusive wave is also not significantly exaggerated. The only thing I would have liked to have seen is Tech’s datapad as a further accessory, but other than that the Season 2 Tech in Mercenary Gear is a pretty impressive release.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...