Review : Imperial Stormtrooper Star Wars Black Series (Hasbro) Wave/Series : Wave 12 (Phase 3) Released : Sept 2017
£24.99
Pros : An older release, but it checks out. Why change a brilliant figure with great articulation? Cons : Still has some issues with messy paint transition between the black and white
When the first wave of Star Wars Black Series for Force Friday II (3rd September 2017) to launch The Last Jedi products was announced many were surprised to see the inclusion of the original Imperial Stormtrooper within the wave.
The Stormtrooper was first released back in 2014 in the original orange-line packaging and was number #09 in that first run. There was a second release of the figure earlier in 2017 as part of the 40th Anniversary series, but that was a limited run.
The decision to re-release the Stormtrooper as part of this 12th Wave of Phase 3 is essentially a clever move on Hasbro's part as it coincides with the launch of their new Centrepiece line. The Darth Vader Centrepiece, that depicts the assault on the Tantive IV, requires at least two Black Series Stormtroopers to really give the effect they want.
It is a bit odd to see the Imperial Stormtrooper in the vibrant Phase 3 packaging, but that white armour against the gloss red backdrop really allows the figure to stand out. This is one figure I would consider keeping boxed purely on its visual impact.
The design of the box is standard with black card on top of which sits the red character name - simply Stormtrooper - and a grey scale illustration of the trooper. The top Black Series logo has been tweaked from this Wave (12) to be a lighter and therefore bolder colour.
The gloss red spine carries the number #48 for the Stormtrooper, and round the back we get an updated write up about the Troopers - an expansion on the text from the original orange line box which simply described the scene pictured underneath as they entered the Tantive IV. This text sits atop a larger version of the trooper illustration.
The rest of the box see's a repeat of the text in other languages and then the usual safety and legal notices and logos. The white sticker you can see on our review copy is from the Far East market - it can be easily removed if you wish with a bit of heat from a hairdryer.
The figure slides out via the top or bottom flap, and comes slotted into the plastic inner tray with no twist ties. The two weapons sit to the troopers right.
Out of the box the Imperial's finest stands dead on 6" high. The sculpt is proportional and screen accurate with the armour cast in bright white plastic.
The helmet is well proportioned to the body, and looks like a human head can fit inside. The eye slots are black gloss, but do suffer with a touch of paint bleed into the eyebrow rim that runs round the helmet above the eyes. There are a number of cut in panels, each painted in grey and black. The mouthpiece is a matt black, and here the paint really needs to go a bit further back on the sculpt. Either side of this central mouthpiece are the two silver studs. A line of blue decals are applied either side of the helmet.
The body panels are all angular and hard and in the main match up to each other in shade. Softer areas like the shoulder armours and belt do seem a little yellower, and over time these will become more of a contrast to the harder plastic elements. The same yellowing can be said of the articulation pins on the elbows and knees,
Under the armour is a black undersuit. On our review figure here we do get some white patches on the black parts which is frustrating. The only other colours used on the Stormtrooper are grey paint on the rear of the belt canister and on the soles of the boots. The belt is a separate piece and is hooked around the waist with a holster hanging from the troopers right hip.
Articulation starts with the ball jointed helmet which rotates fully and has a pivot to look up and down by quite a distance. The shoulders are ball jointed, but will not raise much past 45 degrees as the armoured shoulder panel doesn't retract and blocks the movement. The elbows are double jointed, an unusual feature on the Black Series on the whole. and this really helps two handed weapon poses. There is even a bicep swivel to turn the arms inwards or outwards. The final arm articulation is a pivot at the wrist to help adjust hand movement.
A torso joint is built in under the chest armour and like the helmet, this both rotates and can pivot forward and backwards. Legs start with the hips, which like the shoulders are restricted by the armour. The knees are double jointed and allow kneeling positions to be reached, but not one knee firing or action poses. Ankle rockers allow the figure to stand easily. One criticism of the figure is around the joints which are loose in place, and the figure has a definite loose wobble when handled.
The two guns are cast in black plastic. The E11 is left at that, with no further paint decor. This fits into the troopers right hand, with the trigger finger of the trooper lining up to the trigger of the gun. The E11 can be cradled in two hands also thanks to the double elbow articulation. The larger D20a has a silvery dry-brush on top of the black plastic. This also sits in the right hand and can be held one or two handed.
The holster allows both weapons to be held easily, although it is designed specifically for the smaller E11. The larger gun can be slotted in place, but it will stick up past the waist and across the back of the figure.
The Imperial Stormtrooper ticks a lot of boxes as a figure. It is well designed and fairly well executed - the only questions being around the yellowing on some of the softer plastic and those floppy joints. It is an Army Builder and is representative of the troopers appearance in all three original films.
The release also gets the benefit of being in the new Phase 3 box and that red backdrop really makes the figure pop and is a thing of beauty for a boxed collector. It also gives collectors who missed the original Wave 3 release back in 2014 - or the recent short run 40th Anniversary - a chance to bolster their forced. It is also a clever repack by Hasbro considering the Centrepiece collection which has been released at the same time - that Vader diorama needs two of these to achieve the overall look of the Tantive IV attack.
I scored the original / 40th Anniversary Stormtrooper a 4 out of 5, and see no reason to change that score for this re-release.
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