“It’s better you don’t know. I’ll be back. I’ll find a way.”
Following Season 1 of Andor on Disney+, a number of new Star Wars Black Series figures were revealed including a new version of Cassian as seen in the opening few episodes. This figure was initially released in 2022 as a Convention Exclusive, packed into special collector packaging alongside his family droid B2EMO. It would be the droid and the packaging that remained exclusive to this set, with a 2023 release of the same Cassian figure within the general Black Series Galaxy Collection as part of Wave 10, a wave dedicated predominantly to the Andor series with other figures including Bix Caleen, Luthen Rael and Mon Mothma.
The packaging is plastic-free and therefore windowless relying on images of the figure posed on the front then depicted on the side and reverse to confirm the contents. The box features the deep red colour assigned to Andor, including on the side artwork that connects into a wider montage with the other figures. Cassian is the official #08 of the Andor series, with the subsequent figure of Vel Sartha (Wave 11) designated as #09 but listed on the box as #08 also due to a packaging error.
Cassian is presented in the outfit we first see him wearing in the Andor series as he heads to Morlana One and this presents a number of different layers on the figure from a brown undershirt, blue outer shirt, green two-tone tunic, and an outer jacket in a gloss burgundy with brown trim that is executed as an outer rubberized plastic sleeve. Other paint decor includes a sculpted belt with painted gold buckles and some darker brown panels on the knees of Cassian’s trousers, and the same colour applied to his boots. All of these painted layers are neat and defined with no obvious issues.
This is a new head sculpt for Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor with a longer unkempt hairstyle and a fuller beard. The likeness to Luna is good with photo-real decor applied and adding some realism to the eyes and the beard. The skin tone is glossy and that does detract a little from the overall look.
Articulation is 19 points in total with Andor picking up the dual joint neckpiece and a pair of butterfly shoulders tucked away under the outer jacket. The joints are all designed to fit around the look of the figure and outfit and are all pinless. Cassian can be posed in a number of different stances both dynamic and static depending on your display preferences.
His sole accessory is the MW-20 Bryar pistol he inherited from his adoptive father Clem Andor. It fits into the right hand specifically where a trigger finger slots into place - it also will just about work in the left which is similar in terms of trigger finger design but not quite snug enough for a tight grip. Like most Black Series weapons of the current era, the gun is a metallic finish plastic and is unpainted in terms of any detail but the sculpt itself is crisp. There is no holster or any way of stowing the blaster under Cassian’s coat when not in use?
For those who purchased the Convention Exclusive set, this single release adds no further value other than the packaging for those collectors who display in the box, or with the box, ensuring that there is no gap in the side artwork. The figure is OK, without being spectacular and while the costume is complex and well executed the likeness feels a bit off, particularly with the glossy skin tone which is becoming a regular issue now with Black Series releases. This figure is not flying off the shelves and will no doubt see discounts for those willing to wait - but I would expect better Andor figures to follow in due course, particularly as we reach Season 2.
Keep Track of all the Star Wars Black Series figures from Hasbro at our comprehensive
If you are reading this via a 3rd party website that is importing our newsfeed, please come and visit us directly and give us a follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. Check out our direct news feed for more action figure news, reviews, and store reports
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...