The Star Wars Black Series Archive line is an avenue for older and more sought after figures to be re-released in the Black Series line and has now reached its 3rd wave. The 2021 Archive wave is also part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Lucasfilm and it contains the winner of the Fan's Choice for Archive re-release, Commander Cody, as well as Grand Admiral Thrawn and Luke & Han from Hoth.
The Archive Series moves away from window boxes to a blister card format. The shaped backing card carries the same Black Series logo and uses a black base colour with a grey panel behind the figure window. The character name sits down the left hand side and in line with the Lucasfilm celebration this has changed from grey to gold, and the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary logo sits at the top left of the card.
The Gregory Titus artwork is added as an insert to the blister and is a new image of Thrawn and not a repeat of the illustration used on the 2017 release. The back of the card carries a further image of Thrawn and a short piece of background text, which is again new and not a repeat of that used on the older Phase 3 packaging.
"Thrawn was a male Chiss, with striking blue skin, red eyes and an angular face, known for his brilliant strategic mind and ruthlessness"
The first two Archive waves followed on from the figure detail with some archive information about the original release of the figure and included an original release year and an image of the original packaging. This has now sadly been removed and replaced with the Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary timeline that plots the Star Wars Movie & TV properties from 1971 to 2021 - although it doesn't mention the Mandalorian? Under this is short piece of info about the anniversary.
"Commemorate the first 50 years of Lucasfilm with figures inspired by the Star Wars animated series"
This hybrid of Archive and Anniversary Exclusive is OK - but really needed to go one way or the other. I would have preferred a traditional Archive release with the background info, or a special card series just for this 2021 anniversary.
3.5
Grand Admiral Thrawn has been translated from his Star Wars Rebels Appearance into a realistic setting. And while there is no actor as such to base the likeness on, face print tech has been put to good use to give Thrawn a more angular and intense look, complete with the peoples eyebrow. The skin tone is a good shade of blue and the jet black hair swept back from the forehead.
The crisp white Grand Admiral Uniform is predominantly cast in white plastic with painted details on his gold epaulettes, the rank badge and the belt piece. The boots are knee high and gloss black
This is, as is expected in the Archive line, the same figure as released in 2017 but with the face print update certainly making a difference to the overall likeness and finish of Thrawn who now looks more distinguished and menacing.
Aside from this, the only other noticeable difference is on the gun metal silver used on the belt buckle and the collar insignia which is darker on the 2021 version.
4.5
Thrawn is armed solely with a small hold out blaster, cast in a hard plastic with some base detail down the barrel and a ridged grip. It has a gun metal finish applid to it and is the same weapon and paint colour as the original release.
It fits in Thrawn's right hand with a trigger finger that slots into place. When not in use it can be holstered where the fit is secure without being overly tight.
The Archive release dictates we were never likely to see anything new this time round - although there are plenty of other Thrawn accessories that could have been used as seen in the 2017 SDCC Set. I do suspect more Thrawn releases will be available in our future if the recent name drop in The Mandalorian is anything to go by.
3.5
The Grand Admiral has a total of 16 points of articulation, with no changes on the 2017 release, but certainly an improvement in the waist articulation which is no more free flowing where as my 2017 version was almost static.
Head : ball joint neck with pivot
Body : ball joint waist
Arms : ball joint shoulder, single rotating elbow, wrist pivot
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivel, double joint knees, ankle rockers
All the joints on Thrawn are tight and work well with only the thigh joints somewhat restricted by the bottom of his Imperial Uniform Tunic. I do not need Thrawn to be overly dynamic with action poses - but they are there if you wish such as brandishing a blaster - and I am pleased that he can hold his pose with hands behind his back or clasped together. The only thing he cant do that I might have liked is the packaging pose of folded arms - and I know that is wishful thinking.
4.0
The Archive Series by definition is designed to allow collectors who missed out the first time round to add figures like Thrawn into their collection. Implementing the face print update to Thrawn will also make this desirable to existing collectors who have the figure if they deem the new paint apps superior to the one they already have.
At a £20 RRP there are not many downfalls to this figure. I do find the packaging a little confused and trying to satisfy two briefs without doing a complete job for either.
I score the 2021 Star Wars Black Series Archive Grand Admiral Thrawn a total of 4.0
Action Figure Hacks
During a recent rummage through some older action figure accessories I came across a Ysalamiri accessory that would have come from the POTF2 Expanded Universe Grand Admiral Thrawn from 1998. Of course as any self respecting fan would do, I had to give it a try on the new 6 inch Thrawn and was surprised how well it fit around the Black Series neck.
So now I have two Thrawn's in my collection, I am going to let one keep the Ysalamiri pet as a nod to the Legends origins of our favourite Grand Admiral.
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...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, INSERT KEYWORDS